The football path of Montenegrin international Luka Uskoković is unusual in modern football - all nine professional years he played in only one jersey, Maribor from Slovenia. From his teenage years, the status of the great hope of Montenegrin football, injuries that separated him from the biggest stage, growing up, celebrating titles and successes, falls... he went through it all with the trophy club.
And it doesn't end there, since the 27-year-old stopper has a contract with the "purples" for two more years.
- Yes, Maribor is a big club for domestic conditions and I have to admit that the atmosphere was shaken a little by the fact that we haven't won in four games. That defeat against Fenerbahçe and the elimination from Europe fell hard on us, although they were better in both games and we can only regret that we were not more lucky in the draw. What can I say, the First League of Slovenia is strong, it's a good springboard, but for more you need to play more often against the aces that Fenerbahce has - Edin Džeko, Dušan Tadić... And it's a special feeling, you try to show as much as possible against such players - a story for "Vijesti", a stout, 193-centimeter-tall defender.
That Uskoković did what he could in the collision with the Turkish giant, the ratings show. In the first one in Istanbul, he was, along with the Jug goalkeeper, the best-rated "purple" player, in the second one of the three best in the home team.
- After those failures, bad results in the domestic championship followed, and I took a break due to a cold. However, I am sure that I will be ready for tonight's derby in Ljubljana, where we host Olimpija from 20.15:XNUMX p.m. It is good that the derby is coming now, because it is an ideal opportunity to turn the wheel in the championship and get out of the current crisis. It will be a real derby, traditionally full of energy, and for us a special opportunity to return to winning ways. It is true that I have a cold, but I will play. I have to play the derby. Although, in this season, four clubs are already emerging as equal candidates in the fight for the title, and in addition to Olimpija, they are Celje and Koper - explained Uskoković, who has three Slovenian championship titles with Maribor.
Great potential took Luka as a teenager from his native Buducnosti. More precisely, the wish of Slovenian football icon Zlatko Zahovič to see him in his team. Uskoković asserted himself, reached the status of a young national team player and received praise from all sides and tempting offers, but... Injury and long-term treatment of the heel, then surgery and then after playing in the young team of "falcons" under Mojaš Radonjić, an adductor injury. ..
- It is true that in all phases of my career there were offers and interest, mostly in the last six months. But I don't worry about it, although I would like to go one step higher and if an offer like the one I want comes, I will accept it. But I am at home in Maribor, just like in Montenegro, where I come whenever I have free days. I follow club Montenegrin football less, Budućnost only when I have time, but that's why I don't miss watching the national team matches. It will be difficult to reach the European Championship, but not impossible - believes Uskoković and adds:
- I haven't played for the national team since I was a young selection, but it's up to me to work, play as well as possible and I hope to fulfill that goal soon.
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