The Montenegrin footballers were close to making a big result in the previous and some previous qualification cycles, and the friendly matches before the start of the League of Nations in September will help the new coach Robert Prosinečki to determine what "little" is.
For the first time since he took the helm of the Montenegrin team at the beginning of last month, and on the eve of the trip to Antalya for the test matches with Belarus (March 21) and North Macedonia (March 25), Prosinečki spoke in a little more detail about the game system, style, strengths and weaknesses which he observed watching the matches of the national team and what he will try to improve until the start of competitive matches.
"There was a little bit missing in the previous cycle - let's try to see what that bit is. In every game, against the favorites, Montenegro was close, but something was missing. The games that await us, but also the period in Antalya that we will spend together , it will be good to get to know each other - I with the players, they with me and my vision, to see who we are counting on, to see how some new players will impose themselves".
Montenegro did not manage to reach the barrage in the qualifiers for the European Championship, although it was in the game until the last round.
The results against the favorites decided - both defeats against Serbia, a defeat and a draw with Hungary. In all four games, however, the selection led by Miodrag Radulović was very close.
"What was lacking was that we couldn't keep the ball longer when we needed to, that we started to defend, that we couldn't attack when it was most important and as the games drew to a close. We will try to change something on that front - we defended good, but let's see what more we can do going forward".
Prosinecki also spoke about the game system.
"We will not play with five players in defense, whoever the opponent is, we will play with four in the line. Possession, creativity - that is what may have been missing in some games and we will try to do something there. It is not easy to have possession, but it is getting easier when you have possession. We will also see that we think more about ourselves, that we adapt less to the opponents".
Montenegro has potential, Prosinečki is convinced, and everything else is a matter of finesse - finesse, which, however, are the most important.
"We have younger ones who are coming, we have older ones who are very important. The atmosphere in the team is very important - I would say the most important, because I have experience in leading national teams. If we are ready to make sacrifices - and without sacrifice nothing can be done, not only in football, then I think we will be on the right track," said Prosinečki, who led the national teams of Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Montenegro in the League of Nations in a group with Wales, Iceland and Turkey. Before the September start of the youngest UEFA representative competition, Savić, Jovetić and friends will play four friendly matches - the upcoming two in Antalya, as well as in June against Belgium in Brussels and Georgia in Podgorica.
"I think we can play with everyone. Turkey stands out, which got a new atmosphere and has been playing really well lately, but with them we got a tailor-made group."
Prosinečki then made a point:
"There will be changes that will surprise you a little, but that's how I see things."
Before the trip to Antalya, Prosinečki already faced two handicaps, Preston's forward Milutin-Mili Osmajić and Vojvodina's winger Andrija Radulović dropped out due to injuries.
"Nothing, we travel without them, the important thing is that we know both of them well and the most important thing is that they are ready in the ninth month. That's why two players from the domestic league will be invited, in which I watched some matches and noticed footballers who can be of help to us ", said Prosinečki and revealed that one of them is Budućnosti midfielder Miloš Brnović.
The name of the second one will be known after the matches of today's round.
I would like Jovetic to play more, but the most important thing is that he is healthy, fresh and positive
Stevan Jovetić scored his first goal on the international stage after 13 and a half years in Olympiakos jersey on Thursday.
And that goal, however, as usual, was crucial for the Greek team, where the best scorer in the history of the Montenegrin national team has quite a lot of playing time.
"I would like him to play more, but I believe that will change, that he will play more," Prosinečki said of the captain.
"However, the most important thing is that he is healthy, that he is fresh, that he is very positive. I talked to him and he is so happy when he comes to the national team".
Stefan Savić, another "senator" in the Montenegrin team, will play in the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the fifth time in the last decade.
Prosinečki is delighted with his game in the second leg of the round of 16 against Inter.
"Stefan has shown now, as well as throughout his entire career, what kind of player he is, what kind of professional he is. After all, they extended his contract at Atlético Madrid, and that's no accident."
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