From the special reporter "Vijesti"
Weakened Montenegro, against weakened Iceland, at the start of the fourth edition of the League of Nations - tonight in cold, gray, rainy Reykjavik at the "Laugardalsvolur" stadium, in the far north of Europe (20.45:XNUMX p.m.).
On this "weakened Montenegro", which keeps repeating itself not only now that there are no six footballers, but also before almost every gathering, the selector Robert Prosinecki had an interesting comment in the announcement of the match:
- I noticed that there is too much whining about injuries here. So what if someone is missing?
Montenegro is without Stefan Savić, Igor Vujacic, Marko Janković, Edvin Kuča, Brand Bakić, 18 years old Vasilija Adzic, and partially without Stevan Jovetic, who will not start tonight's match.
Prosinecki explained the plan for the captain:
- Stevan had a problem with his hamstring. We have to save him because he hasn't played since Georgia in June. We have a plan for him, he is sure to be ready in half an hour, and we have to keep in mind that after only three days we play Wales. It is unnecessary to talk about how much he means to us, but we will simply save him for Wales, first of all because he has not played for a long time and is not in a competitive rhythm like other national team members.
The composition of the team dictated by Prosinečki is somewhat unusual, unexpected, of course forced, with several players starting for the first time in a competitive match and even more of them playing together for the first time. Nevertheless, the legendary Croatian footballer is convinced that the team will have something to show:
- The most important thing for us is that we have a good atmosphere. We worked well the previous days, even though we had little time. New kids have arrived, there is no need to talk much about those who are absent, but about those who are here, and they will surely give their maximum for a good result.
So, Milan Mijatović on goal Marko Vesović i Risto Radunovic in the back positions, Marko Tući i Slobodan Rubežić like speed bumps, Miloš Brnović i Novica Erakovic as the two last midfielders, and Adam Marusic, Vladimir Jovovich i Milutin Osmajić who will form an offensive three, behind the most forward Nikola Krstović. Prosinečki seems to be running away from pessimism and pessimists:
- We won on the spur of the moment with Eraković and Jovović in the middle of the pitch, and Osmajić and Marušić also have that strength, motor skills, in short - speed. The start is important and we will play in the best way, I deeply believe in that. The players are motivated, those who were not with us in previous actions will get a chance. The match may go differently than we plan, but I think we have something to hope for.
In Reykjavik, it is two hours less than in Montenegro and about 20 degrees less. The stadium with the unusual and too long name "Laugardalsvolur" (it's better to call it short - national), with an athletics track and a capacity of 9.800 seats, with natural grass in perfect condition, on which national teams from the continent often found it difficult to navigate, probably because of all the listed factors.
Physically strong, cold-blooded Icelanders will try to catch Montenegro in the gap, does Prosinečki's squad have the right answer?
- We analyzed them well, we saw that they have problems and injuries, that they have flaws, they are not ideal. They are certainly a very good team. We respect them, but we can threaten them. It will be an interesting match.
Selector Aga Hareida, a Norwegian, did not even mention Montenegro at the press conference yesterday, even though he lost twice to our national team in the three matches so far. The first time, a long time ago, in March 2008, when he led Norway (3:1 under Gorica in a friendly match, at Zoran Filipović), the second time in October 2016 when he led Denmark (1:0 for Montenegro in Copenhagen, under Ljubiša Tumbaković).
- I was surprised that we were not mentioned. Hareide certainly has a motive against Montenegro, he lost twice. They play classically, 4-4-2, they are a very solid and organized team, it is not at all easy to play against them. She beat England in a friendly match, played well against the Netherlands even though she lost. We especially watched the match with Ukraine, where they were very good in some moments, even though they did not qualify for the European Championship in that playoff. We, like them, want a good start in the League of Nations, it is important for us to show well, to play like a man - concluded Prosinečki.
The match at the National Stadium starts at 18.45:XNUMX local time, two hours later our time. A French judge Willi Delejo. Wales and Turkey play in the same group B of the League of Nations, in the same time slot, and Montenegro welcomes the Welsh on Monday in Nikšić.
Marušić's sixth cycle: Match by match...
Lazio's ace Adam Marušić has been in the Montenegrin national team for nine and a half years, tonight begins the sixth cycle - qualifying for the European Championship and World Cup, and the League of Nations. He will play his 60th match for the national team and there are only four with more matches than him (Fatos Bećiraj, Elsad Zverotić, Stefan Savić, Žarko Tomašević).
He knows how important a start is, he knows, however, that just a good start is not enough...
- We got an interesting group in the League of Nations, I think we can play with everyone, but we are not thinking beyond the first game now. We are focused on the match with Iceland, and only then on the next matches. We will see through the games what our goal is.
Many teammates in the national team were changed by Marušić, now as one of the most experienced and leaders of this team. And tonight they will get "new ones".
- There are plenty of new and young players. Through all these years, we are used to having bad luck with injuries, non-stop a group of absentees, but that is part of football. We must turn to those who are there. Surely everyone will give their best. We can achieve a good result.
Iceland is also at a new beginning, as told by the selector of the "Fishermen", Norwegian Age Hareide.
- We are playing against a very good team, but we have chances. We watched the recordings, we know where we can look for an opportunity for a good result - Marušić is clear.
Bonus video:
