Sutjeska played its first match in European competitions in 2003 in the Intertoto Cup against Union from Luxembourg. In their debut performance, the team coached by Branko Smiljanić at the time went to the next stage, where they were eliminated from Finland's Tampere.
After gaining independence and starting the First Montenegrin Football League, the people of Nikšić regularly played on the European stage, but did not record any notable results (except for the victory over Debrecen in 2015 in the second leg of the first round of qualification for the Europa League) until 2019. Then they were in the first round of qualification for Slovan Bratislava was sensationally eliminated from the Champions League after a penalty shootout (both matches ended 1:1), only to be eliminated by Cypriot Apoel in the second round. The European season of Sutjeska ended after a double match with Linfield from Northern Ireland in the qualification for the Europa League.
The previous season, the Montenegrin champion reached the second round of qualification for the Conference League. He eliminated Georgia's Gagra (1:0 victory at "DG Arena", 1:1 in Georgia), then was eliminated by Maccabi, but left a generally good impression.
This season the situation is different. Milija Savović's team was eliminated from Ludogorets in the Champions League qualifiers, the competition continued in the Conference League, but the edition in the first match against Klaksvik in the youngest UEFA club competition was not good. Sutjeska did not threaten at the "DG Arena", the performance in the attack was poor, the match ended without goals, so tonight's (20) rematch in the Faroe Islands can also be characterized as the most important of the previous 32 matches that Sutjeska has played in the history of Europe.
3 victories in 32 European matches were recorded by Sutjeska (against Union Luxemburg in 2003, Debrecen in 2015 and Gagra last year), 11 draws and as many as 18 defeats. This speaks volumes for how hard work awaits the people of Nikšić in the Faroe Islands, and given that the away goal rule no longer applies, even a 1:1, 2:2 draw does not suit them... Probably no one would protest if it was against Slovan 2016, when after two draws Nikola Rakojević's team celebrated with a better performance of penalties
Although it is only the end of July, it can be said that Sutjeska is playing one of the most important games of the season. In the previous three European matches this summer, the people of Nikšić did not score a goal, they were not too creative in attack, and if they want to advance to the 3rd round, then they have to be more precise in the north of Europe.
- Let's try to secure passage. We will try to be more dangerous. It seems to me that we managed to freshen up and prepare better physically. In the first match, we lacked freshness and quickness. I hope that it will be better in the second leg and that we will have something to show - coach Savović said in the announcement of the match.
In the meantime, Sutjeska drew with Jedinstva (1:1) in the 1st round of the domestic championship, but did not impress. The goal that the current champions scored in Bijelo Polje was not the result of some nice action, but came after a corner and after Srđan Krstović's shot caught the opponent's player.
- In Bijelo Polje, we reshuffled the squad and rested the players who will carry the load on the Faroe Islands. We also saw some options that we did not try to the end in the previous European matches. We have insight into the capabilities of all players. We will try to find a combination that will succeed in achieving victory - said Savović, who tonight will not be able to count on the injured Filip Knežević, and the Libyans Alharaiš and Mohamed, who did not travel with the team due to visa problems.
The defense did a good job in the first match. But tonight the offense has to wake up. Placement in the third round will depend, above all, on the offensive performance.
- In the first match, we were a little more careful, we didn't know what to expect. It's much easier now. In the Faroe Islands we have to go for the win. Everyone in the club hopes that we will go to the next stage. It's just the beginning of the season. We are not yet integrated, many players have arrived, especially in attack. I think that both domestic and foreign footballers have quality and will work in the second leg. This is perhaps the most important match for us, the turning point of the season. Passing to the 3rd round would mean a lot to us in terms of self-confidence and for the continuation of the championship - said Sutjeska stopper Miloš Drinčić.
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