The Montenegrin football players did not win, and apart from a few moments, they did not show anything more than an average performance at the City Stadium in Nikšić, but the friendly match against Armenia on June 9th will be remembered at least for three positive details.
The first is Vasilije Adžić's debut goal, the second is Andrija Bulatović's debut goal, and the third is the record of Stevan Jovetić, who made his 87th appearance for the national team and became the player with the most appearances in the red jersey.
And that's something worth mentioning and something that will remain in the record - perhaps it's not enough to restore optimism, but it's also written that Montenegro ended the June gathering unsuccessfully because after losing in the World Cup qualifiers to the Czech Republic (2:0), they couldn't even beat Armenia - it was 2:2. They can even be satisfied with the final outcome, even though they were leading 2:1 until about ten minutes before the end...
- I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, I think I've shown that I'm ready. I'm not happy because we didn't win, and I think we deserved it - Adžić told RTCG.
Robert Prosinecki announced changes for this game and there were some, and then the "falcons" went into the deficit after just 27 seconds when Eduard Spertsjan checked Balša Popović.
Our goalkeeper previously made a mistake in passing when he wanted to send the ball to Bulatović, Andrija Vukčević stopped the rival's first shot, but delayed the execution for only a second because Spertsjan hit the near corner unhindered.
The reaction didn't take long, only until the fifth minute when Adžić showed why he is the pearl of Montenegrin football - he met Marko Vukčević's cross and headed home to make it 1:1, to the delight of the small crowd. Adžić needed that goal, whose debut was so eagerly awaited, and the "falcons" needed it too, but it didn't really get them going.
And almost until the 52nd minute there was no excitement, and then another gem found its way to the biggest stage - Andrija Bulatović, Lans' new midfielder. Bulatović made it 2:1 after an action opened by Adžić.
The Juventus player masterfully found Milutin Osmajić, who assisted Andrija Bulatović, who rounded the Armenian goalkeeper and sent the ball directly to Bulatović's foot. At that point, Montenegro had both the lead and the point, as the debutants made it clear that Prosinecki probably made a mistake by not sending them onto the field on Friday in Plzen against the Czech Republic.
- It's an incredible feeling to score a goal for the national team on your debut at only 18 years old. There were good things that we need to carry over to what's next for us - Bulatović emphasized.
If it had remained 2:1, the impression would certainly have been better, mostly because of teenagers Vasilije and Andrija, but our players were unable to bring the game to a proper end - Spertsyan thus signed 2:2 from a free kick from about 25 meters when he surprised a poorly positioned Popović. It could have been worse, Armenia later had a chance to turn the game around, but Narek Gregoryan, after a great dribble, shot just wide of the post.
The national team's next commitments are in September - matches against the Czech Republic at home and Croatia away.
MONTENEGRO - ARMENIA 2:2 (1:1)
Niksic - City Stadium. 1.398. Referee: Jasmin Šabotić (Luxembourg). Scorers: Adžić in the 5th, Bulatović in the 51st for Montenegro, Spertsjan in the 1st and 81st for Armenia. Yellow cards: M. Vukčević (Montenegro), E. Grigorjan, Agbaljan (Armenia).
Montenegro: Popović, M. Vukčević, Rubežić, Šipčić (75. Lončar), A. Vukčević (75. Radunović), Bulatović (78. Kuč), Bakić (63. Brnović), Adžić, Radulović (63. Vešović), Camaj, Osmajić (63. Jovetić).
Germany: Beglarjan, Mkrthjan, Arutiunian, Harojan, Tiknizjan (60. E. Grigorjan), Avanesjan (67. N. Grigorjan), Agbaljan, Šaghojan (67. Adorjan), Serobjan (90+1. Miranjan), Sevikjan (60. Elojan).
Bonus video:
