Jovetić for Gazeta: I'm leaving free agents to Adžić, it's always nice to see a Montenegrin at a big Italian club

Fifteen years ago, Italy enjoyed the feats of young Stevan Jovetić, the guy who demolished Liverpool and Bayern Munich, and this September, they met another Montenegrin. And in what a way.

Vasilije Adžić introduced himself to the Apennines and Serie A with a Eurogoal to win against Inter (4:3), a league that has always been special for footballers from our country - from Dejan Savićević, to Mirko Vučinić, to Jovetić, Stefan Savić, Adam Marušić and Nikola Krstović...

"It's always nice to see a Montenegrin in a big Italian club," Jovetić told Gazeta delo Sport.

In an interview for the famous Milan newspaper, our captain mostly talked about Adžić, remembering Savićević and Vučinić, his days in Italy, the reason why he didn't move to Juventus, the championship race this season...

Did Adžić's goal surprise you?

"No, I've seen him score goals like that several times in training. We met two years ago, when I was without a club and trained with the Budućnost team from Podgorica for a while, and then we met again in the Montenegrin national team," said Jovetić.

Did you hear from him after the goal against Inter?

"Yes. I told him he deserved to feel that joy, but that goal must be just the beginning for him. I look at him like a younger brother - last year I advised him to go play for Next Gen (Juventus' youth team) to get his rhythm back, and also to learn Italian as soon as possible. He's a smart guy."

Does he really kick that hard?

"I don't like comparisons, but the way he shoots reminds me of Frank Lampard. He has a powerful shot without a run, you saw it against Inter - half a step and boom, into the net. There aren't many players who can do that. But let's leave him alone, he needs peace now. He's 20 years old, he needs to have fun without too much pressure."

In which position is it most evident?

"Somewhere between an eight and a ten – he has physical strength, technique, shooting and an excellent sense for timely running."

Does Adžić have anything from Savićević and Vučinić, also a former Juventus player?

"In my opinion, the genius Savićević is unattainable for everyone, and Mirko was a great player. Adžić will have a successful career. The future is his. Last year, he was hampered by injuries, so we only played two matches together in the national team, a total of half an hour. In the national team, I take free kicks, but Adžić takes them better and from the next game I will leave them to him."

How many goals can he score as a midfielder?

"He is a midfielder who can score double figures in a season, but this year it would be great if he could finish the season with five or six goals. Vasilije needs to follow Igor Tudor in order to progress tactically and defensively. In Montenegro, they think almost exclusively about attack - I struggled in the first months at Fiorentina too."

Adžić thanked his teammate Dušan Vlahović.

"Dušan is very important for Adžić and for Juventus. I didn't play with him, but I know him well - when he was in Florence, he lived in my apartment. Dušan's contract is expiring, but he shows mental strength and professionalism. He has always scored goals and he won't stop."

Juventus is at the top of the table together with Napoli - can the Bianconeri fight for the Scudetto?

"Napoli with Antonio Conte is the main favorite, and Inter remains their biggest rival. Juventus could be a surprise."

Did you regret saying "no" to Juventus?

"No. When I was leaving Fiorentina, I chose Manchester City over Juventus because I didn't want to let down the fans with whom I have a special relationship," concluded Jovetic.