The first part of the season in the football Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina ended last weekend. Zrinjski, which has three points more than Banja Luka's Borc, goes to the winter break from first place, followed by Sarajevo and Željezničar...
Zrinjski wondered in the first part of the season, and when it comes to individual performance, Montenegrin international Aleksandar Boljević came to the fore.
The Želje attacker played 16 games in the domestic championship, scored seven goals and had four assists, so he was the best player of the team from "Grbavice". According to the parameters of the Sofascore website, Boljević with an average rating of 7,81 is the best player in the first part of the BiH Premier League, as well as the player with the most successful dribbles (60) and key passes (30).
- After the first season, which was very difficult because the club was fighting for survival and was in an unenviable situation, the beginning of this season is better. We are in the fourth position which leads to Europe, which is the goal. And as for my performance - I'm satisfied. Since the performance in Beveren, Belgium, I have not had better numbers in terms of individual statistics. The award for the best player in the first part of the season is an incentive to continue even more. If I stay, I should try to raise the numbers and the game to a higher level, so that we are all satisfied - said Boljević for "Vijesti".
His contract expires at the end of the season.
- We'll see what happens, I'm a Željezničar player. First, let me rest well, prepare well, and the rest will take care of itself. I'm finally healthy for a year, without any injury, I've hinted as much as I can, and it's probably going to get even better. They are happy at the club, they would like me to stay there. There are some stories, let's try to find a common language. But, I'm 29 years old, I'm aware that maybe the right move would be to go abroad and collect a good season - explained Boljević.
In 2014, Boljević left Zeta for PSV. He then played for the Belgian teams Beveren, Standard and Eupen, and then in Hapoel from Tel Aviv. He has been in Željezničar since September last year.
- After a career in big clubs, it was difficult for me to accept going back a few steps. But sometimes that needs to be done. I accepted it, and while thinking like that, I think it will be good - says Boljević.
In recent years, the BiH league has been progressing in every sense - the pitches are good, and last season Zrinjski became the first club from that country to qualify for the group stage of the European competition. This season, Borac from Banja Luka repeated that result.
- Everything is on a higher level. The pitches are hybrid, floodlights are in all stadiums, VAR is in use... And it's not an easy league either, from our area only Dinamo and Crvena zvezda play standard European competitions. Zrinjski beat AZ Alkmar in the Conference League last season and drew with Aston Villa in Mostar. Borac was better than APOEL this time, playing to a draw with Panathinaikos... Along with Sarajevo, the league is at a high level.
Boljević points out that he is satisfied with how the club functions.
- The conditions are phenomenal. Especially on the famous "Grbavica". Information recently came out that after Dinamo and Zvezda, our games this season were the most attended in the Balkans. There are 10-11 thousand fans at every match, the atmosphere is incredible. I have all the praise for the club, the organization and the fans.
Matches with a great rival, Sarajevo, are a special feeling.
- That's unbelievable. I played a fiery derby in Israel with Hapoel against Maccabi from Tel Aviv, with Standard against Anderlecht in Belgium, but I didn't experience this in Sarajevo. The miracle of the derby, there are 25 thousand people at "Koševo". We played the first derby this season there, it was 1:1 and I scored a goal. I think it's my favorite goal of my career. In the days before the game, only the derby is talked about. On the streets, in the hotel, you can feel that atmosphere everywhere. You can't switch off, it has to be felt. An incredible derby - concluded Boljević.
I think I can help the national team
Boljević made his debut for the Montenegrin national team in November 2013 under then coach Branko Brnović. He played 26 games in the "Brave Falcons" jersey, the last one in March 2021 in the World Cup qualifiers.
- When I came to Željezničar, one of the reasons was to get the national team jersey again with my games. I'm aware that when you don't play or have less playing time abroad, you can't be there. I play well, score and set up goals, I hope I can play for the national team again, because I think I can still help a lot. It's every player's dream. I made my dream come true, I played almost 30 games, but I would like to be on the list again - says Boljević.
Montenegro's next cycle begins in March, when the World Cup qualifiers are scheduled. Our selection is in a group with the Czech Republic, the Faroe Islands, Gibraltar and the loser of the quarter-final duel of the League of Nations in which France and Croatia meet.
- We should not fool ourselves and say that it is an easy group. There are no easy games, the group is tailored, and with our quality, Stefan Savić, Stevan Jovetić and others, I think it would be a sin if Montenegro does not qualify for a major competition - Boljević is clear.
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