If they had taken European matches even more seriously, as a club, if they had a striker, if they had a right back, in short - if they had at least one player who would make any difference, Buducnost would have had an advantage against Milsami before the second leg of the 2nd round of the Conference League.
She would have one eye on the third round and Virtus from San Marino, and at least subconsciously she would be thinking about the playoffs.
The fans would also dream, they would hope - about big European nights.
That's the impression we get after a "thin" 0:0 draw against the Moldovan champions, in front of around five thousand fans near Gorica.
The guests presented themselves as a disciplined, compact, but playful and with pure quality - a rather modest squad.
However, Buducnost was also modest, this Buducnost, which in the first ten minutes tried to surprise the guests with its initial momentum and support from the stands, and later with somewhat more frequent and specific attacks.
They did, however, create one real chance, actually two, in the same action - Vušurović and then Gašević failed to score.
The Podgorica team had a few more half-chances, either blocked or weak shots from good positions, as did the guests, who had a goal disallowed in the first half by striker Ndon, who hit the net with his hand.
All in all - an extremely poor football performance under Gorica.
Lalatović tried to bring energy to the game with substitutions, but it wasn't enough to win.
Everything is open in the second leg, Milsami has proven to be a rival that can be eliminated, it was known even before the game, the only question is - can Buducnost do it?
Lalatović has seven days at his disposal to build a team that will, not insignificantly, be stronger in the second leg for Ivan Bulatović, who is returning to the field after suspension.
Because someone needs to score a goal.
The match ended in a draw for Gorica - 0:0.
The second leg will start from scratch next Thursday in Oreha.
Five more minutes of stoppage time
Dakić replaces the injured Sekiov, the fifth and final substitution for Buducnost. Four minutes left until the end of regulation.
Bojović attempted to head the ball after Gašević's cross, but it went wide of the goal...
Andrej Camaj replaces Vušurović, Lalatović tries to find a line-up that will break through Milsami. 15 minutes left.
Bojović replaces Grbić, Mijović replaces Milicković, Vukanić replaces Strumija - a triple substitution for Nenad Lalatović, in the 63rd minute
Yellow card for Petar Grbić. Before him, Milicković was also booked at Buducnost.
Two great chances for Buducnost in the same attack, in the 51st minute.
Milan Vušurović, after a great ball from Piščević, went out alone to face goalkeeper Milsami Timbur - he failed to beat him, Gašević also had an ideal opportunity after a rebound, but he was blocked.
The second half has started.
Halftime under Gorica, 0:0 - good atmosphere in the stands and poor performance on the field.
Buducnost, driven by their initial enthusiasm, started well, had a chance through Milickovic in the fifth minute, but the guests quickly stabilized. They also shook the net, but striker Ndon beat Domazetovic with his hand instead of a header.
Podgorica only threatened once more until the end, through Gašević, who was also blocked.
Milsami presented themselves in the first half as a disciplined and compact team, but nothing more than that.
Do the Podgorica players have the mechanisms to break through the Moldovans in the rest of the match?
Vušurović had a bad catch on the ball in the first half stoppage time. If he had hit it properly, it would have been very dangerous for the guests.
Finally, after half an hour of silence, Buducnost threatened. Gašević was blocked.
A calmer period of the game. The future was threatening at the start, the guests soon hit the net: the goal was not recognized due to handball, but it seemed to warn the Podgorica fans that the Moldovans could be very dangerous.
The Buducnost net was shaken, Ndon's goal was disallowed due to obvious handball.
Good start for Buducnost and a good chance in the fifth minute - Grbić played a great pass to Milicković, who was blocked from a favorable situation.
The duel under Gorica has begun!
It is expected that the Buducnost players will have great support from the stands.
The announcement of the match, at least as far as the Podgorica team was concerned, took an extremely unusual tone, especially before such an important European doubleheader.
Coach Nenad Lalatović talked about having no one to turn to from the club's leadership, and that only the players, coaching staff, and fans were left.
"Who will do their best to take advantage of the path that opens up."
The winner of the two-legged tie between Buducnost and Milsami will meet the San Marino champions Virus in the 3rd round of qualifying, which is a great chance.
The team lineups are also known. Although it doesn't look like it on the UEFA website, Nenad Lalatović will once again play in a 3-5-2 formation.
Dragan Grivic's place (who left for CSKA in 1948) will be taken by Milan Vušurović, a player with more offensive characteristics, while Petar Grbić will play at the top of the attack, as Lalatović announced.
It looks like this: Domazetović - Đuričković, Serikov, Orahovac - Vušurović, Gasević, Piščević, Strumija, Milicković - Ivanović, Grbić.
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