From the play-offs in cold November 2011 to the friendly duel in hot Podgorica in June 2023, the football players of Montenegro and the Czech Republic played five matches and each time the outcome was the same - the "falcons" left the field with their heads bowed.
What's even more devastating is that they only managed to score a goal in the aforementioned match near Gorica, the only one that was not of competitive significance.
Is it time for everything to change on June 6th in Plzen, in the 2026 World Cup qualifying match, which both teams are welcoming after two wins at the start?
"We want to get revenge on them in some way for all the defeats they inflicted on us. We have a chance now and we will try to do it," is the clear message of "Falcons" goalkeeper Igor Nikić.
And, Montenegro and the Czech Republic achieved their maximum performance in March against the same rivals, outsiders in the group - the Faroe Islands and Gibraltar.
"We achieved our goal in March and took six points from two games. We have a very important match against the Czech Republic, but I think that as important as it is, it is not a turning point. Of course, it can be a confidence booster if we achieve a favorable result, but there is still a lot to play for. For starters, we are going to Plzeň to give our all," believes goalkeeper Dečić.
We showed that we know how to make strong selections.
Tomaš Souček and his teammates will be the favorites this time around, but Robert Prosinečki's men aren't too worried about this situation.
"We have shown many times that we can play with strong national teams. That is nothing new. We have confidence and faith in ourselves," Nikić is clear.
Of course, his teammates and he know very well what kind of rival awaits them at the "Dusan Arena".
"The Czech Republic is a regular participant in major competitions, a very high-quality team, very strong physically, but we will analyze them and prepare in the best way possible. We watched them against France, who caused us a lot of problems and showed that they are a very tough team," explained our goalkeeper.
Savić means a lot, healthy competition among goalkeepers
Unlike the matches in the Nations League and at the start of the qualifiers, our national team will be stronger this time due to one of its most important players - defender Stefan Savić, after injury problems, will finally command the "falcons" defense.
"Stefan is an extremely experienced and quality player, with a serious career and helps the whole team a lot, especially us in defense," emphasized the Montenegrin goalkeeper.
Nikić got the chance to defend Montenegro during the Nations League, and then in the qualifiers in December he sent Balša Popović between the posts. The boys of his age, born in 2000, should be the bright future of the national team.
"The competition is healthy, we have been friends for many years. I know Balša from the younger teams, we were together in Grblje. He is a very good goalkeeper, he had a fantastic season in OFK Belgrade. Whoever defends, the goal is the same when the national team plays, individual things are not important," concluded Nikić.
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