Montenegrin footballers are preparing for a duel with Turkey (Tuesday at 20.45:XNUMX p.m., stadium near Bistrica), to end the worst cycle in history.
Five games - five defeats, only one goal conceded, relegation to League C.
Can it be worse? Strong Turkey is coming, coming to win for first place, Robert Prosinecki's team will try to bid an honorable farewell, possibly score a goal, win the first point.
The big question is whether they are in a state of shaken self-confidence, shaken by heavy defeats, further weakened by injuries and suspensions.
"We care, we still stick together, we are like a family. Against Iceland we cared, we pressed much more with the desire to win. We had a draw in our pocket, but we only wanted to win. Then we were punished, like and so far luck has not been on our side. We have scored a goal, it was canceled due to offside. I don't know what is happening to us, we want to, but we don't do well even when we play better than our rivals. There's no way the points will come," says Leće striker Nikola Krstović.
DON'T MISS IT
Although there was progress in the game against Iceland - above all in the offensive part, attempts, even chances, goals are a big problem for the Montenegrin team.
Driton Camaj scored the only one, in the five matches so far, in Nikšić's defeat against Wales.
Stevan Jovetić returns against Turkey. Although Marušić, Radunović, Vukčević, Odranija and Savić, Vešović, Rubežić, and young Đukanović and Adžić will not be there due to injuries and suspensions, can it be better with the captain and the best scorer in history, at least in attack.
"The captain is coming back to us, to take over as captain and we, along with him, to compensate for the lack of players. Every gathering we are plagued by injuries, there is always someone missing. We will try to give the maximum, to present ourselves in the best version possible, to show that it is not our place to be the last in the group, even though the group is very difficult. Turkey is coming for points for the first place in the group, but we will do our best," added Krstović.
On the other side, there is a lack of solidity, the Icelanders conceded two goals too easily in the sequel, just as they conceded two goals too easily in Reykjavik in September, after the break.
What's next? Relegation to the Nations League C, despite everything, is not the worst possible thing.
The game looks much worse, powerlessness in everything, even in the attempt to score a goal - how much easier the opponents do...
"How many times did we kick last night, but the ball didn't hit the goal. You saw with the offside goal, how long it took us to score. There is no way that it will come back to us, but we are looking forward. I think this is a turning point that is very difficult for us right now, but everything will come back in more important games, because these guys deserve it," added the Leće forward.
A game against Turkey, then a break until March, when the World Cup qualifiers start.
The image that our national team is sending at the moment seems gloomy...
"We have many older players who help us a lot to get used to and fit into the national team jersey, but soon there will be a change of generations. We need young players. In every difficult moment, positive things are taken out. We need to learn lessons, to rise. I know it will come back to us. We deserved more, but maybe luck will return when we need it in more important matches", concluded Krstović.
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