Milačić: We have to change the system; Nedović: We need to fill the middle

Impressions settled after Montenegro's draw with Sweden, a draw that allowed our national team, if nothing else, to not be just "extras in the movie" in the continuation of the qualifications.

The duel with Russia on March 27 in Gorica now looms as decisive, only a win for Montenegro keeps its chances of qualifying for the European Championship. It was the same before the match with the Swedes, but some other results in the group, along with the point won, allowed Branko Brnović's team to extend the decision until the spring. First the Russians at home, then the Swedes in Stockholm (June), after those two matches it will be completely clear whether Montenegro has a chance to fight to go to France.

However, something will obviously have to change if Montenegro wants to get into a situation to beat Russia, or to be competitive away from the main favorites. This was shown by the match against the Swedes, where Montenegro created its chances exclusively from stoppages (that's how it scored a goal, from the penalty spot), and drew a draw only due to the will, desire and will, and the casualness of the Swedes, who thought that will easily finish the job after an early lead.

And what should be changed? Visiting the RTCG studio during the match, Mogren's coach Branislav Milačić and Mladost's strategist Aleksandar Nedović offered some suggestions.

"I know that someone will blame me for saying this, but let them blame me. I am fully convinced that we have to change the game system. Not to do a "general", but we have to change the system in the middle. We cannot, nor do we have players like that, to play with only two midfielders, while the other two are very wide. Bakić came in at halftime to play on the left side, it was obvious that it was a forced decision, because that is not his position. Vladimir constantly plays on the left side Božović, and unsuccessfully, we need a more capable player," said Brano Milačić.

Montenegro under Branko Brnović mostly plays in a 4-4-2 (or 4-4-1-1) system, with two central midfielders and two wing players. On the left wing, Vladimir Božović is constant, while on the right, in the previous qualifications, Kasalica mostly played, Bećiraj started the new cycle, while Jovović made his first start against the Swedes.

Milacic believes that Montenegro must be grouped - in the middle.

"Maybe it's tasteless that I'm suggesting, but I think we'll have to change the system, to put three players in the middle. I'm sure they would work better in that variant, because it's obvious that we're struggling now".

Aleksandar Nedović, a revelation on the domestic club coaching scene, thinks similarly:

"And I agree that we need to change something going forward. We definitely cannot play with two classic strikers, we need to fill the middle. I know that the question is whether we have such a profile of players. I also know that it is difficult to chase points and change the system at the same time, but we need to work on it, obvious mistakes must be corrected and eliminated. A player from the sidelines? I'm generally not in favor of that, but if it's quality, if it can bring an advantage, in that case I have nothing against it," Nedović said.

According to Milačić, Montenegro got closer to the "right composition" at the end of the duel with Sweden.

"The real thing was at the end, when Zverotić switched to fullback, Janković to midfielder. It was a good composition, although I still think we need another footballer in the middle".

There is a lot of time until March 27, more than four months. Enough to work on correcting mistakes, although Montenegro will not play a friendly match before Russia. Maybe even to change the system, as suggested by Milačić and Nedović.