Budućnost players were defeated by Vardar (3:0) tonight in the first friendly match during the preparations in Moravske Toplice.
Buducnost played two different halves - in the first they had opportunities from Dragan Grivić, Vladan Adžić, Lazar Mijović and Milan Vušurović. Grivić and Adžić threatened with headers, and Mijović and Vušurović after a breakthrough with a kick - Mijović hit the goalkeeper in the head from about ten meters, and Vušurović's shot from 16 meters was saved by the goalkeeper.
The Skopje giants and current North Macedonian Cup winners took advantage of Buducnost's mistakes in the second half.
The first goal for Buducnost came after a corner kick, scored by Spahiu. The second goal came after a counterattack, and the third after a mistake in midfield - the scorer of the second and third goals was Zakarić.
Buducnost continued to threaten through Ivan Bojović, Igor Ivanović and Miomir Đuričković, but the ball would not go into the goal.
"The match helped us see where we are at the moment, and in terms of will, drive and commitment – it was at an enviable level. In the first half we were much better, we had chances, possession of the ball, while in the second half Vardar was better and deservedly won," said Srđan Nikić, assistant to Ivan Brnović's coaching staff.
The first half of Buducnost started with the following lineup: Domazetović, Grivić, Dakić, Adžić, Gašević, Rakčević, Piščević, Milicković, Vušurović, Mijović and Bulatović, while the second half started with Mijatović, Mirković, Popović, Orahovac, Vuković, Šarkić, Rešetar, Vujović, Grbić, Ivanović and Bojović, with Đuričković coming off the bench.
"Four cadets got a chance again, they confirmed that they are the future of Buducnost and it was important for us to see how they are in relation to a strong rival like Vardar. In general, we cannot be satisfied with the result, but with the play in the first half and some details from the second - we can," Nikić explained.
The Buducnost coaching staff does not have a complete squad at the preparations in Slovenia, so rotating positions is a necessity: Danilo Vukanić, Lazar Savović, Stefan Đukanović, Andrej Camaj and Andrej Kostić are at the European Youth Championship, Miomir Đuričković only played about twenty minutes today, Lionel Strumija will get playing time in the next game, and defender Ilija Serikov is still waiting, as he is in the process of completing his visa.
"We're moving forward, we're continuing to work and prepare. We know we're going to play against Noa in the Champions League qualifiers and it's up to us to prepare as best we can for Europe," said Srđan Nikić.
Bonus video:
