Montenegrin football players are flying today to the Atlantic Ocean, to the very north of Europe.
The first ever away game to the Faroe Islands (20:45), at a time when all chances of doing anything more in the World Cup qualifiers have largely disappeared, would necessarily mean another "depressive" match that has to be played in cold and rainy conditions in the north - it would mean that a major change has not occurred in the meantime.
FORMERLY THE LEADER ON THE FIELD, NOW THE LEADER ON THE BENCH
Mirko Vučinić, the legend of Montenegrin football, will not only make his debut on the coaching bench, but for the first time since he ended his playing career eight years ago and turned to coaching, he will lead the team on his own.
As a player on the field he was usually the main man, and now he is the main man on the bench. Of course, it is not the same, and how everything will look, we will see tomorrow night in Torshavn, as well as in the following period.
New coach - new players, at least a few of them are on Mirko's list, mostly teenagers, and the playing system will probably be new as well.
Nikola Krstović, Vučinić's main asset at the top of the attack, also revealed some innovations in training, in preparation for the match.
- We have a lot more training, meetings, we are much more focused on our behavior to represent our country in the best possible way - says the Atalanta striker ahead of today's flight to the Faroe Islands.
Vučinić and Krstović had a special relationship, not only because of the striker-striker relationship, or assistant coach-player relationship. They had a similar football path, Krstović played for two years, establishing himself, in Mirko's city - Leće, in the same environment from which he, almost 20 years ago, soared to European heights.
As a coach, precisely because of the specific relationship, Vučinić is already more demanding of the 25-year-old striker.
- It was easier with Mirko before - Krstović laughed.
IT'S EASIER WHEN YOU GO DOWN THE STAIRS
Montenegro lost their battles against the Czech Republic and Croatia almost without any real resistance, and now they are fighting with the Faroe Islands for third place in the group. It is not insignificant, at least because of the draw and the hat before the next Euro qualifiers, but regardless - a new page will be turned for the Montenegrin national team from Torshavn.
- Now we have gone down a step and we have opponents against whom we can dominate. We hope that through good games we will create a good foundation for the next qualifiers that start with the League of Nations and that we will achieve a place in one of the major competitions. We now have two games in which we will try to comply with the new coach's requirements and create a team that will continue to grow in the coming period - Krstović points out.
Upon returning from the north, on Monday, Montenegro will play a friendly match against Liechtenstein in Gorica, and in November they will face an away match against Gibraltar and a home match against Croatia at the end of the qualifiers.
- The combination of young and experienced players has always brought us a lot. We are missing a few experienced players, but when they return, everything will fall into place. When you see a young player 'biting' and trying, it motivates you even more to give your best, says Krstović, who, when asked how the younger players view him - as a Serie A star - he replied:
- They see me as a serious, older football player, even though I'm quite young and I'm always up for a joke. It's important that we have a good atmosphere and that, as is the case, we can't wait to get together again and hang out.
Vučinić added Andrej Kostić and Marko Perović from the youth national team to the A selection, brought back Viktor Đukanović, called up Stefan Milić for the first time, included Milan Roganović on the "main" list, whom Prosinecki called up only subsequently last month, and it is said that he has also prepared a much more significant role for Juventus teenage star Vasilije Adžić, whom the previous coach kept on the bench.
Vučinić also invited "new" players from our league - Andrej Bajović and Marko Šimun.
The complete "package" of young players will be missing the suspended Andrija Bulatović, and the Faroe Islands will also be missing the injured "senators", Stevan Jovetić, Adam Marušić and Marko Janković.
IT'S DIFFICULT WITH THE FARANIS - FEW PEOPLE PLAYED THERE
Montenegro beat the Faroe Islands in Nikšić in March with a goal in the last second of stoppage time, a few days before that, the Faroese also sold their skin dearly in the Czech Republic (they only lost in the final), and last month Croatia also saw for themselves what it's like to play on their hybrid pitch, under gusts of stormy winds. They won, but with difficulty, too much difficulty, with a dose of luck.
It is clear how uncomfortable this match is in Vučinić's debut, the only "relief" - if you can call it that - is that after losing the chance to achieve a high ranking in the group, there is no pressure to score in the literal sense.
- They are an unpleasant team, they defend and wait for counterattacks. They are much stronger at home. They had a few good chances against Croatia as well. I have played there a few times, both with clubs and with the younger national teams, and I have seen for myself how difficult it is. There will be a lot of duels. We will try to put the ball down and make a difference through precise passes, because if we accept their style and start playing long balls, we will not have many chances - concludes Nikola Krstović.
VUKOTIĆ INJURED - WILL HE SKIP THE FAROE ISLANDS?
Last night's training announced another problem for Mirko Vučinić
Partizan midfielder Milan Vukotić did not train. He felt pain in his leg the day before and was therefore spared.
The question remains whether he will be ready for the match in Torshavn and the friendly with Liechtenstein in Podgorica.
Bonus video:
