The Czechs believe that hell awaits them under Gorica, will that really be the case?
Our national team has not convinced or mobilized the fans much lately, the easy defeat to the Czech Republic in Plzen in March was just the culmination of an extremely bad period in which the only victory that resonated somewhat came in a match where the result did not mean much, at least not competitively, last year against Turkey.
The impression is, moreover, that there has been no less euphoria in a long time ahead of a "package" of such inspiring, such strong matches, against the Czech Republic on Friday in Podgorica, and then Croatia, the bronze medalists from the previous World Cup, on Monday in Podgorica.
It has been shown, however, countless times, that the path from disappointment to excitement, from apathy to euphoria (and vice versa) is short, that it takes so little, even a momentary flash, one victory, to get everything back on its feet.
Montenegro is still in the game for a place in the World Cup qualifiers play-offs, and just one victory, no matter how difficult, against the national team that has beaten us all six times, would set everything on fire.
And then the next rival, whoever he is, would truly face hell, as predicted by the Czechs.
"Knedličke" will be visiting Gorica on Friday at 20.45:180, and Robert Prosinečki's team, in an atmosphere of considerable fan distrust, weakened as usual (Marušić, Osmajić, Radunović, Radulović), is playing for a victory that could turn the atmosphere, expectations, and chances XNUMX degrees.
- The most important game of the cycle. We know that only three points leave us in the game and I hope that we will manage to win in front of our audience. We need a good game, we need support from the stands, we need maximum concentration and focus to exploit the opponent's weak points. The Czech Republic has them too - believes Andrija Vukčević, the new left-back of Preston, a member of the English Championship.
Three months ago in Plzen, Montenegro played one of its weakest games in recent memory. It is truly remarkable that in such an important match, with practically no real resistance, they surrendered so easily.
The Czechs dominated - primarily physically, but also in all other aspects.
- We watched the game against them away, we saw where we made mistakes. They are simply physically dominant, we have to pay attention to that and use our chances in the best possible way. We had some great games under Gorica in the previous qualifiers, I hope that will happen again - adds Vukčević.
In the previous qualifiers, for the European Championship, under the previous coach Miodrag Radulović, Montenegro played well against Serbia, but conceded two goals in the final minutes (0:2) due to their own mistakes. They also played a solid match against Hungary - 0:0.
Now, on their return to the Podgorica stadium, after the Nations League matches, several friendly matches and the start of these qualifiers were played in Nikšić, Montenegro is hoping for a bigger scalp.
And a triumph over the Czechs, to whom we have only conceded a goal in six matches in the past 15 years, would be truly great. Both because of the past and the present.
- This is truly the most important match for us in the qualifiers so far and our focus is 100% on the Czech Republic, only after that will we think about Croatia.
Vukčević changed clubs, countries, and football styles this summer - judging by the chance he got at the beginning in Preston, in a strong, primarily physically demanding Championship, we could say that the Island might suit him better than Spain.
- I'm happy about the new challenge, I had a period in which I had to adapt to the league, it wasn't easy, but it's sweet suffering. I had Osmajić's help from the beginning, I played games in the preparations, then in the championship, I hope there will be even more minutes - concludes Andrija Vukčević.
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