Montenegrin representative Stefan Savić, who played with Atlético last season (and lost to Real) in the final of the Champions League, spoke for Sportklub.
Among other things, Savić talked about preparations for the season, the unforgettable Champions League final, Diego Simeone, Griezmann, and of course our national team...
- How hard is it to focus on football after the summer break?
"It's not difficult for me, this summer we really had a lot of free time, about 40 days, so I can say that I missed training and football the last few days. I got used to that training process very quickly".
- Atletico Madrid did the preparatory part in Australia, how satisfied are you with yourself and the team in general?
"I'm certainly satisfied with how we did the preparations. The trip to Australia tired us a bit, we traveled for a really long time, some 25-26 hours. We had to adjust to the time zone, considering that we stayed for five days, but we had a good two the game against Tottenham, we won there 1-0 and against Melbourne we lost, but there they got a chance for some younger players to show themselves and to prove themselves to the coach. I have positive impressions from that tour in Australia and now we have two weeks left until beginning of the championship".
- The Spanish Championship will start soon, what do you expect from the season? Has the management set any goals for you?
"Certainly, the management's goals are always the highest, and that is placement in the Champions League. Everything else is an additional success. As a team, we are not satisfied with placement in the Champions League and we are trying to get one of the trophies. Last year, we were close to the Champions League as well Even in the championship, we were in the race for the title until the last round, so I hope that we will try to achieve something big this year as well".
- A large number of neutral fans wanted Atletico Madrid to be European and Spanish champions, you were very close, but a little luck was missing.
"Well yes... I am aware that Atletico have more and more fans all over Europe every year. The club as a club is growing year by year, but as you know, we were close to the Champions League title and the Spanish champion, but we lacked a bit of luck. Maybe we didn't deserve it, that's all the question. It's easy to talk now that it's over, but like I said, we'll try to improve this year and try to get one of the titles. Will it be the Cup, the championship or the Champions League, it doesn't matter, but our goals are always the highest".
- In the final of the Champions League against Real you were one of the best actors, but in vain. How hard was that defeat in Milan for you?
"Honestly, very difficult. Losing on penalties hurts the most. You are so close to that Champions League and then when you lose it is really painful because you don't have the opportunity to play that final every year. We played a pretty good game. Maybe we lacked luck, if it wasn't had it been for the missed penalty by Griezmann, it might have changed the further course of the game, but we lacked luck. It's definitely regrettable, we'll try to come back as soon as possible".
- What is Simeone like? He is adored in these areas, many identify with his extravagant behavior and character.
"He is certainly one of the best coaches today, he showed that with his successes in Athletics. He means a lot to us as part of the team, he brings that positive energy, he has a winning mentality. He is quite energetic and demands a lot in training, but the team accepts it. Just like that we can compete with teams like Real, Barcelona, Bayern and these teams that are at the very top of world football".
- You played in three very strong leagues, do you feel the best in Spain, not counting the climatic conditions and how much did you improve training next to a top striker like Griezmann?
"Yes, I had the opportunity to play in England, at the age of 20 I went there... stayed for a year. I won the Premier League title, but what I wanted was continuity of games, and at that moment I couldn't have that at Manchester City. I decided to go to Italy first, where I really had a wonderful three years. I improved a lot there. I gained that continuity of games, over 100 games for Fiorentina, which meant a lot to me because I came prepared to Atlético. And this is certainly the highlight of my career so far, because reaching the final of the Champions League is really a big thing. It means a lot to me that I train with top players. I had that opportunity in Manchester, and now here too, like Griezmann, Koke and many others, and I think that that's the only way I can progress in my career".
- How "difficult" is it to spend time in Madrid?
"Well, it's hard at the moment (laughs)... it's about 40 degrees at the moment, which is really a lot. The city is beautiful and it's certainly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and I really enjoy things that are not related to football".
- About the national team... Can Montenegro go to the World Cup in Russia?
"Well, yes... the qualifiers for the World Cup in Russia start in September. And we should be aware that, realistically, we don't have a large pool of players, but we have a team, we are all united. With the new coach Tumbakovic, I think we can make some positive results . I think the most important thing is that we start well, especially against Romania there, and if we get a favorable result, everything would be much easier. But we certainly have a tough group, so we'll see..."
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