The players of Budućnosti are on vacation, like all the first league players, but they are thinking about the second half of the season - and even the European temptations that await them in the summer, began the moment the referee blew the whistle for the last match of the autumn duel, in the victory over the second-placed Petrovac (3: 1).
The "Blues" dominated with 45 points won in 19 rounds - (second place is at minus 12, third place at minus 15), with 40 goals scored (even 14 more than the best second in that segment) and 11 conceded (six less than the next best) ).
Hardy, they've gone four fifths of the way to the throne, but coach Ivan Brnović doesn't want to give up - he still considers it half way.
- Many are mistaken who think that the championship is over. Only in May will we know who lifts the trophy. However, it is certain that - during this transitional period - we will build a team for the entire next calendar year because Europe awaits us: in which competition, that is open, but it is certain - said Brnović for the club's website, summarizing the first half of the season.
Petrovac has 12, Bokelj 15, and current champion Dečić even 18 points less. Does Bućnost have rivals?
- The biggest rivals are certainly the first runners-up - they are Petrovac, Bokelj and Dečić. However, with all due respect to Petrovac and Bokelj, who made a great continuity, I think that Dečić - regardless of the big point difference - will be the most dangerous candidate in the fight for first place. That's my thinking, we'll see what practice will show. Of course, we must never write off our biggest rival Sutjeska either, especially since this winter she will undergo reconstruction at all levels of the club.
Brnović took over Budućnost in the second part of last season, succeeding Mladen Milinković, and the new season did not start well.
In fact, it started badly, losing to Mališeva in Kosovo in the 1st round of the Conference League qualifiers.
- The beginning was not promising, because we were building a new team that entered the most important games of the season - against Mališeva and CSKA 1948 on the European stage - quite unprepared. However, when we completed the transfer window and hired all the players we thought we needed, we slowly started to solve the riddles - the results came and the game in the championship, where we achieved some records in the form of a start of 11 games without defeat - he recalls is Brnović.
Two defeats followed in four days, but they did not shake the people of Podgorica.
- We quickly overcame a small crisis, because our team has a strong character and mentality, which makes all of us in the coaching staff very proud. All in all, I am satisfied with everything we showed in the autumn part of the championship.
The future, according to Brnović, is not only distinguished by quality.
- To my taste, the fact that we all created a great atmosphere together in which both the players and the coaching staff submitted to the team and became servants of the team. There was chemistry and interpersonal relationships that you can only wish for, and we know that this is the most difficult thing to achieve in team sports. When you have that, then the football quality of our players comes to the fore, which was reflected in the games and results.
The younger ones are a special story.
- I have always had confidence in young players, because they are eager to prove themselves and always give their best. All of them develop, of course they have ups and downs, and the best example is Lazar Savović, who after a drop in form made an even bigger rise. In general, the young players will improve - here I am primarily thinking of Andrija Bulatović and Savović, who are the backbone of the team, and I expect Kostić, Đukanović, Vukanić, Tomašević and Camaj to prove themselves to a greater extent in the spring, without writing off even the younger players who are currently not in the foreground, but which we will keep an eye on - said Brnović.
- I don't want us to forget the seniors, because they put a stamp on the half-season, without them none of this would be possible. We have created the necessary balance that is necessary for any team that plans to be successful.
Buducnost wants to continue walking on the path of success (in the last six years it has won seven trophies: three titles, four Cups, one double crown), it is imperative to win the double crown as a gift for the club's 100th birthday.
However, preparations for Europe are well under way...
- We must not repeat the mistakes from previous years when we played the most important matches of the season weakened and unplayed. On the contrary, we will try to create a team that will develop, play and prepare as much as possible for European challenges. In this, we see and expect a lot of help from the executive and sports director, the Novaković-Delibašić tandem, who have a huge share in the success during the fall, because we selected this team together this summer with full agreement for each player. I hope it will be the same in the January transfer window, which will largely depend on our release in the championship, and then in Europe, where we hope to qualify for the playoffs - concluded Brnović.
The future has not had such a base of young players for a long time
Buducnosti players are not on a classic vacation this winter. The "real" preparations begin on January 9, and until then...
- Bojović, Pavlović, Mijović and Grivić immediately started rehabilitation exercises after injuries at the end of the season, and on the other hand, two days ago we started the training process, which includes players with less playing time, as well as young players who, through their work and drew attention to themselves with their talent, both in the club and in the national team, they are Lazar Popović, Petar Vujović and Petar Rešetar from the generation of 2009 - says Ivan Brnović.
- The process, which will last until December 23, and then after a three-day break, will start again until the roll call, with certain rest days, will take place to the greatest extent according to the program of Milivoj Grbović, who is a link of inestimable importance in the professional staff, but in general also in club. I think it will benefit everyone a lot, especially the young players, who are our treasure. I have been following the work of Budućnost in all structures for decades, but I think that there has never been such a large base of young and talented players in various generations, which is an indicator of quality and systematic work in the younger selections - says Brnović.
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