Four or six days before the rematch of the 3rd round of qualification for the Conference League, it is not yet known where Mornar and Dečić AdmiralBet will meet their rivals, Pakši and HJK from Helsinki.
Barani will play a rematch with the Hungarians already on Tuesday, Tuzani will play against the Finns on Thursday. It is only known that both of them play - on the home field, wherever that may be.
The great European summer of Montenegrin clubs was accompanied by an unprecedented "disaster" when it comes to stadium infrastructure, because our clubs had almost no place to welcome their rivals.
The stadium under Gorica has been suspended by UEFA due to the devastating state of the field, the tribune at the stadium near Bistrica in Nikšić has just opened, but it does not yet have a permit for European matches, the stadium in Cetinje is "forever" being worked on, Pljevlja does not meet the condition due to the distance from the airport, the stadium in Berane is also yet to receive a permit.
That's why it was never busier at the "DG Arena", where Mornar played the 1st and 2nd round matches, where Buducnost played the 2nd round match, while Dečić received a UEFA "discount" for the 2nd round to meet Dinamo Batumi at the Camp FSCG.
However, this will not be possible for the third round matches, where the stadiums, in addition to the standard permit, must also obtain a VAR certificate, because video technology is used as an aid to the referees in all European stadiums for the matches of the 3rd round.
So, where will Marnar play? There are only four days until the game.
There are two options. The Rams hope to be able to play near Bistrica, where the modern western stand was finally opened on Sunday, after practically five years of construction (the last European match in Nikšić was played in 2019 - Sutjeska against APOEL from Cyprus). However, it is necessary to equip the new changing rooms at the stadium in a short time, and the question is whether this is possible until Tuesday or Monday, when UEFA should give permission.
As a backup, but "safe" option, the Mariner remains DG Arena, which will also have to obtain a special permission from UEFA for the 3rd round (to lower the criteria a bit, as in Dečić's case for the 2nd round at Camp FSCG), but also to get a VAR certificate.
At the "DG Arena", however, the game is played like never before in history - on Sunday is the derby of the domestic league Budućnost - Sutjeska, on Tuesday Mornar could play (which implies training for both teams on Monday), and is it realistic that on Thursday Dečić also plays?
Tuzani have the option, albeit not too big, to still run onto the field of the stadium under Gorica. A lot will depend on the will of the delegate of the Mornar - Pakši match, who will be tasked with visiting the pitch of our largest stadium on Monday. And possibly green light, so there is hope that in the next few days the surface will turn green at least a little.
Dečić's second option is the DG Arena (what kind of condition will the pitch there be in after so much use?), and the third - abroad, that is Shkodër.
- What is certain is that we will exhaust all possibilities to play in Montenegro - Dečić president Paljo Drešaj told "Vijesta" last night.
Dečić AdmiralBet has a chance to advance to the playoff round of the Conference League (lost 1:0 in Helsinki), better than Mornar who lost 3:0 in Hungary.
Where would Tuzani play in the next round - it's a big question, but there's a lot until then. First, to "thunder" the third round.
Bonus video:
