Luka Duric could receive a timely lift from Bosnia and Herzegovina this week. The 23-year-old Paderborn midfielder is in Zenica for Friday’s Nations League match against Sweden, where he hopes to make his senior international debut.
Duric was unused in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s previous two fixtures, a 0-0 draw in Poland and a 4-2 win in Romania. Coach Sergej Barbarez now has another opportunity to involve the Bundesliga newcomer while Paderborn’s squad is away in the United States.
A demanding first Bundesliga move
The midfielder left his home city of Sinsheim for the first time this summer after 18 years with Hoffenheim. “At 23, it was time to take that step,” Duric said.
He made 32 Regionalliga appearances for Hoffenheim before playing 28 times in the third tier. Paderborn signed him after winning promotion, fitting their preference for recruiting players with room to develop from the higher amateur divisions.
Sporting director Sebastian Lange sees “great potential” in Duric, but the adjustment to the top flight has been substantial. Ralf Kettemann’s current 3-3-2-2 system does not offer an obvious role for a forward-facing central midfielder.
Duric describes himself as a link between the defensive and attacking lines, with an aim to add goals. He also accepts there is still work to do without the ball.
Limited minutes so far
His only league appearance for Paderborn came as a late substitute in the 3-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund scored their second immediately after his introduction, leaving little time for Duric to influence the match.
He was then left out of the squad against former club Hoffenheim and did not join Paderborn’s United States trip, an absence that also removes a team-building opportunity for the new arrival.
Duric nevertheless remains convinced by his choice. “Paderborn was a good move for me,” he said. “It is a good place to continue developing.”
First division memories in Munich
Before joining Paderborn, Duric’s only Bundesliga outing came for Hoffenheim at Bayern Munich. Christian Ilzer sent him on in the 81st minute for Leon Avdullahu during a 5-1 loss at the Allianz Arena.
“It was nice to make my debut there, apart from the result,” Duric said. A first Bosnia and Herzegovina cap on Friday would provide another important marker in an unsettled start to life in Paderborn.
