Prosinecki: The Catalonia situation won't end up like Yugoslavia

Robert Prosinecki has been in charge of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national side for almost a year now.

With Spain preparing to take on his side, the former Real Madrid player discussed all things Spanish football, as well as European politics and his career.

First of all, congratulations on promotion to Division A of the UEFA Nations League.

"Thank you. It is important for a small country to be among the best 12 European teams and after going to the World Cup in Brazil this is the best side in the history of Bosnian football. Now, we focus on getting to the European Championship."

You still haven't lost since taking over. How do you approach the game against Spain?

"Spain are also going through a generational change of players and for us it's an important game, but more than anything to see how the players perform against players at that level. Spain are the favourites and they haven't had the result they expected in the last two games so surely they'll give their all to win."

It's a new generation, with Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic. Where is this team going?

"A tough question. Gone are players like Ibisevicm Misimovic, one of the best in the country's history. They managed to get to a World Cup. We have players like Dzeko and Pjanic, but other talented players are coming through and our goal is to reach the European Championship."

Were you surprised by Spain's defeat in Zagreb?

"No, because Croatia can beat any team. For a side who are runners-up in the World Cup, they have great players and they are warriors and losing 6-0 had to motivate them. On Thursday we played at the same time, yesterday we travelled, so now I will have to watch the game. I've been told it was good and that Croatia deserved to win, though they were lucky in the end, Against Spain you need luck."

Have you read what Dejan Lovren said?

"I heard something, but I haven't read it all."

He said that Spain are a team of cowards.

"I cannot give value to what Lovren says or thinks. I don't know why he said it, but I'm sure it's not true."

Your time at Real Madrid coincided with Luis Enrique. What memory do you have of him?

"We arrived at the same time, him from Sporting and me from Red Star. I'm sure he will take Spain to the European Championship and do great things, because Spain are ready for that. We had a good team then, but had bad luck two years in a row in Tenerife, losing two leagues in the last game. At Real Madrid, if you don't win then there are always problems. He has done great things in Spanish football."

Talk about Tenerife...

"The worst was the first year, as we were winning 2-0 then lost 3-2 and the second year it was 2-0 without any problems, but football is like that. Barcelona had a great team and they won the Champions League."

The people of Madrid don't forget the officiating of those matches...

"Maybe, but I don't remember much. Football is like that and that's why it's interesting."

What was former Real Madrid president Ramon Mendoza like?

"I have great memories of him. I can only say good and positive things of him, he was a great person."

You suffered a lot with injury at Real Madrid.

"It's life, it's football, things happen. I had a lot of injury problems, but I'm happy to have played at a club like Real Madrid. Then I went to Barcelona and it may not have been the best thing, but this is life."

Was it a physical problem, or did you need more care?

"I don't know. They took care of me and I can't say they didn't. I had bad luck with my muscles. In spite of everything, I have good memories of Spanish football, although it didn't give me everything that I hoped."

You're Croatian, were a phenomenon at Red Star Belgrade and are now Bosnia coach...

"It's great, isn't it? A bit of everything in life and things happen that you never thought could happen. I got offered the job and saw they had a good team with a lot of talent and I'm very happy."

Do you ever think what would have happened to Yugoslavia is there had not been a war?

"Surely many things, something big would have been won."

The war wasn't so long ago...

"Life matters, we need to live. We can't forget what happened, but time has passed. We have to think about the beautiful sea that Croatia has, impressive cities... The war won't be forgotten, but we need to live without it."

You now train kids who were born during the war and grew up hearing those terrible stories, do they talk about it?

"Actually, no. Young people think about their lives. They play in other countries and, of course, their families will never forget it, but time has passed. While it doesn't seem it, the war was a long time ago."

Do you think that Spain, with what's happening in Catalonia, risks separating? Are you afraid it might look like Yugoslavia?

"No, I really don't believe it. These are very different times. Maybe one day Catalonia will separate, but I don't think there'll be a war."

What does it say about you that you're a legend who smokes a lot?

"I smoke, I have no problem saying it, but there are myths. There is more talk about what I smoke than what I actually smoke."

And when you were a player?

"I smoked, but less. I know it's not good, but if it affected my play I wouldn't have done it. I had no problems. Now, very few players smoke but in my time many did."

If you see a player smoking, what do you say?

"What am I going to say!? Nothing, I smoke..."

How do you see this Real Madrid?

"They didn't start well, but it's normal and when that happens in Madrid there are problems, but they'll be back at the top where they have to be, fighting for LaLiga Santander with Barcelona, Atletico and Sevilla. What I see is another battle between Real Madrid and Barcelona."

There are many people who, in the face of Gareth Bale's injury, remember you.

"Bale has had bad luck since he arrived, and coming back is never easy. The pressure of Real Madrid is always big. You have to be the best, score goals, and be at your best level. I'm sure that he'll be good this year and he scored a goal in Kiev in the final and he is important for Real Madrid."

You were young when you arrived at Madrid in another country, another culture. Does Real Madrid demand a lot mentally?

"The pressure doesn't matter if you're young or old, it's always huge. At Real Madrid you have to be first, it's not easy. Look, Luka Modric has been impressive for three years, now he's out of form and there's already criticism saying he shouldn't be playing."

Is Dzeko a Real Madrid or Barcelona player?

"He never played in Spain, but has been at Manchester City, in Germany and in Italy. He's one of the best five forwards in the world."

What do you miss from Spain?

"I visit a lot. My sister lives in Oviedo and I come to visit her in the winter while she comes to Croatia in the summer, to the beach. I love Spain, you live well with good people. In Oviedo I feel happy. I remember when I was there on loan and for pre-season it never stopped raining. I called a representative to say look where they sent me, but I was happy and I still go there a lot."

Come to coach in Spain!

"We'll see. You never know in football and I never thought I would spend three years in Azerbaijan. You never know where the next job will be."

The best coach you ever had?

"Johan Cruyff. Another world. He had a privileged intelligence."

Can you see England and Croatia drawing?

"I can, and Croatia could win like in the semi-finals of the World Cup. England have a new generation of young and talented players, but I repeat that Croatia can beat anyone."