The players are emotionally empty - admitted the head coach of the Montenegrin national football team, Robert Prosinecki, before the first match in the World Cup qualifiers against Gibraltar.
"Falcons" play against an underdog on Saturday at 18 p.m. in Nikšić, and the Croatian coach underlined how difficult it is to be committed to that game after the death of former national team player Andrija Delibasic.
"We are emotionally empty, especially the players who played with him. We have to focus on a game that only looks easy on paper. If we enter the match seriously, it is certain that only Montenegro will be questioned. We have this day that is sad and somehow we have to motivate ourselves for the duel and play it for Andrija. We expect a victory," said Prosinecki.
All teams, including Gibraltar, are progressing.
"They used to be completely amateurish and lost by a large margin, but we watched some matches, for example against Moldova (1:1). You can see that they have improved. It will be crucial how we enter the match, there is no doubt that we are much better, but we have to have the right approach from the start. And the boys are aware of that," Prosinecki explained.
France, which lost to Croatia in Split 2:0 in the first match of the Nations League play-offs, will probably be in the group with Montenegro.
"Croatia has been producing results for years, winning and going to big competitions. They played a serious game, missed a penalty and won 2:0 against a team that they say is the best. It's not all over, there's still that rematch, but I think we'll play France in the end," Prosinečki pointed out.
Prosinecki extended his contract with the Football Association of Montenegro at the end of last year.
"I'm glad that the players supported me, it means a lot to me. We have a good atmosphere, we played well and some matches we lost, for example in Turkey, exceptionally against Wales in Nikšić where we didn't take advantage of our chances, and in five minutes we conceded two goals. The guys are aware that they have a chance to go to a big competition, although of course it's not easy at all. Croatia or France will be the favorites of the group, and not only that - the French are considered serious candidates for winning the World Cup. But we have a chance, I believe that we will gain confidence through the two upcoming matches," said Prosinecki.
Captain Stevan Jovetić points out that it was difficult to focus on match preparation.
"It's a sad atmosphere. Last year, Matija Šarkić, now Delibasic, left us. It's hard to focus on football, we're all sad, Andrija was a great man, teammate, friend, brother. I still can't accept what happened. We'll play for him too," said Jovetić.
Montenegro will not underestimate Gibraltar, claims the Cypriot Omonia striker.
"We are preparing for this match as if we were playing against one of the biggest teams. We need to set a standard and always be at that level. It won't be easy, the first games are always the hardest, everyone expects us to win. Everything depends on us and the key is to stay calm. It is very important to get in the game properly, to score a goal as soon as possible. Gibraltar is still losing games, but lately by a much smaller margin, so we have to be mentally prepared," concluded Jovetić.
Montenegro also plays the Faroe Islands in Nikšić on Tuesday.
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