"We will go out to Maksimir to give our best, the jersey and the emblem we wear oblige us to do that"

Montenegrin football players travel to Zagreb tomorrow, for the most high-profile and intriguing away match in this World Cup qualifying cycle.

The first match ever with the Croatians, bronze medalists from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, silver medalists from the 2018 World Cup in Russia, a visit to a football superpower, a match against the only Ex-Yu country that Montenegro has not yet met...

Luka Modrić vs. Stevan Jovetić, Ivan Perišić vs. Stefan Savić, Croatian legend Robert Prosinecki on the Montenegrin bench...

There are many connections and points of contact, and it is a real shame that Montenegro arrives at Maksimir without much result tension, or hope, since with two defeats to the Czech Republic, of which last night's defeat in Gorizia was decisive, they have only a theoretical chance of joining the fight for a high ranking.

Perhaps this relief, on the other hand, will help Robert Prosinečki's team play a good match, leave a good impression and at least announce a brighter future.

It was already announced last night by the teenagers - the three who played against the Czech Republic, and one of them, Juventus midfielder Vasilije Adžić, is looking forward to the playing time he will get at the Dinamo Zagreb stadium.

"It's up to the coach to decide who will play. There's no need to waste words on Croatia, their placements at the last two World Cups speak for themselves, they have a player who won the Golden Ball. We're going to Zagreb to give our all and fight for the badge we wear, I believe we'll show that we're worth it," stressed Vasilije Adžić.

About the Czech Republic, a few more sentences...

"We showed quality, attacked them, I think we played a real man's game, showed that we are worth it. We were unlucky, they gave us the first goal right away, and the second when we all rushed forward. We didn't get what the Czechs got. For example, that shot by Andrija Bulatović, who shot even better than Červo and hit the crossbar, and the Czech scored a Eurogoal in the third minute. Then there was Driton Camaj's chance and many other situations from which we could have scored a goal. We can't be satisfied with the result, especially because of what we showed, but it is certain that we showed serious quality," added Adžić.

Some things, however, are repeated too many times...

"Three or four times in the last year we have practically started the match from a deficit and were in a situation where we had to chase the result right away. It is much more difficult in such circumstances, but I wouldn't say it was a drop in concentration. It is our problem, but sometimes it is 'set up' like that, here Červ scored an incredible goal in the 3rd minute, which cannot be defended. That's how the moment happens, you can't choose. It's up to us to adapt to it, like the team reacted phenomenally last night, the audience recognized that we fought and gave our best, and that is the most important thing when wearing this crest. We were unlucky to score a goal, I hope that it will be better in Zagreb and that the result will be more positive."

Motivation when playing for Montenegro must not be lacking, even if competitive tension is lacking.

"The motive is also that we are playing against one of the best national teams in the world, and the biggest one is that we represent the country, which means that there is never any calculation and that we always give 100 percent. Our character will certainly not accept that we have lost the chance to qualify for the World Cup. We believe that as long as there is a chance, until the last minute, anything is possible in football. Although the chances are minimal, nothing is ruled out, why shouldn't we believe when there is still a theory that we will go to the World Cup."

Finally, Vasilije Adžić says:

"Sometimes the pressure is greater, sometimes less, but when playing for the national team, the pressure is always there. We will go out to 'Maksimir' to give our best because the national team jersey obliges us to do so, and that will be the case this time as well."