A bad start to the new competition cycle for the Falcons: Parried on the ground, paid from the air

From the special reporter "Vijesti"

The Montenegrin footballers had a bad start to the fourth edition of the League of Nations and for the first time in their 17-year long history, they started a competitive cycle with a loss - the Icelanders were better, more prepared and more dexterous in cold and windy Reykjavik (2:0).

It seemed that the decimated Montenegro, without six players (Marko Vešović also dropped out at the last moment), got used to all the unusual and difficult, soccer and non-soccer factors in the far north of Europe, repelled Iceland's initial attacks on the ground, and started to be dangerous. and then it was smashed - out of thin air.

Interruptions are what Robert Prosinečki's company did not adapt to, and that is why the start in the League of Nations paid for with a smooth defeat: both goals, namely, the Icelanders scored with headers after a corner.

OSMAJIĆ AND KRSTOVIĆ THREATENED, BUT ICELAND WAS BETTER

Montenegro quickly freed itself from the initial pressure of the hosts, and began to threaten, although with fewer periods of the ball at their feet than the hosts.

Thus, in the 12th minute, Milutin Osmajić received the ball directly from Milan Mijatović, escaped the defense of the home team, but also went sideways - he shot into the outer part of the net.

Not long after that, Nikola Krstović also ran away, after passing Miloš Brnović, he broke, shot, but straight into the "fisherman's" block.

However, Montenegro was not better in the first half hour, maybe only occasionally dangerous, on the other side the Icelanders were constantly threatening, quickly reaching the penalty area.

And then, the first fatal break, in the 39th minute - a corner from Johan Gundmundson, the long-time midfielder of Burnley, the equally talented Ori Oskarson came out of the block and headed Mijatović. The third goal in the national team jersey by the 20-year-old whom Sosijedad recently paid 20 million euros to Copenhagen.

Some reaction from our team was expected, but there was none, even after the halftime break, and Prosinečki did not immediately make changes.

TWO CORNERS - TWO GOALS, THIS IS HOW THEY DO IT IN THE NORTH

Maybe it's better if you did, because at the beginning of the second half, the game was played exclusively in our penalty area.

Montenegro was thus saved in the 49th minute by a great intervention - again after the break, saved by Mijatović, and after the rebound by Slobodan Rubežić, i.e. VAR technology.

She "corrected" the incredible decision of the French referee Delejo, who in the bravura intervention of the Aberdeen stopper with his foot on the goal line saw - a penalty?!

Unfortunately, the correction from the VAR room did not save the Falcons, it only postponed the execution, because the second goal arrived too quickly. In the 58th minute, just when Stevan Jovetić and Driton Camaj were waiting to enter by the sideline.

And, again - fatal corner. The actors were different, but the outcome was the same as 20 minutes earlier - the legendary Gilfi Sigurđson crossed, and Jon Dagur Torsteinson, Hertha's midfielder, headed in.

With the entry of Jovetić and Camaj, Montenegro began to threaten, but the home team felt very comfortable with 2:0. Krstović's shot was blocked, Camaj shot over the goal, had another chance in the finish, but the Icelanders also had their chances.

In any case, the lackluster edition of the Montenegrin national team in Iceland, the chance to make amends will arrive quickly, already on Monday: Wales will arrive in Nikšić after playing 0:0 with Turkey in Cardiff.

ICELAND - MONTENEGRO 2:0 (1:0)

Reykjavik - Stadium "Laugardalsvolur". Viewers:. 3.487. Referee: Willy Delud (France). Scorers: Oskarson in the 39th minute and Torstenson in the 59th minute. Yellow cards: Gudmundsson, Torstenson (Iceland), Radunović, Osmajić, Eraković, Jovetić (Montenegro).

ICELAND: Valdimarson, Sampsted, Hermanson, Gretarson, Tomason, Anderson (77. Vilumson), Tordarson, Guđmundson, Torstenston (65. A. Sigurdson), G. Sigurdson (65. Gudjonsen), Oskarson (88. Johaneson).

MONTENEGRO: Mijatović, M. Vukčević (60. Camaj), Rubežić, Tući, Radunović, Brnović, Eraković, Marušić, Jovović, Osmajić (60. Jovetić), Krstović (78. Mugoša).