From the blue jersey of Buducnost that December 1984, he jumped into the white jersey of Yugoslavia - right in front of the legendary Welshman. Jana Rasa, a man who was already announcing that he would become the top scorer in the history of the great Liverpool.
Branislav Drobnjak was a silent hero in the golden years of Buducnost, a fearless defender who defended the colors of the Podgorica club for a decade and as a member of it reached the national team of the SFR Yugoslavia. He played only that match for the senior selection against Wales in Cardiff (1:1), and he was supposed to be in the team a few days later when the unforgettable Mladen Delić: “My people, is that possible?”
- In addition to the match against Wales, I was also supposed to play against Bulgaria in Split (the Blues secured a place at Euro 1984), but I injured my ankle in Cardiff, so I was on the bench for the substitutes - recalled Drobnjak, a new guest of "Vijesti" in a series of interviews as part of the survey "We are choosing the ideal team of the Future".
The call-up to the national team was a great recognition for Buducnost.
- Before that, I played for the youth team, then for the youth and Olympic teams, and finally for the A team. I came from a small background, but I guess playing in the youth teams recommended me. At that time, it was difficult to reach the wider list, because there were many good players and whoever was the coach had a hard time deciding who to call up - added Drobnjak.
The Buducnost matches were an experience for the city
He arrived from his native Bijelo Polje to Titograd at a very young age, and was welcomed in the locker room by many great masters, legends of the Future.
- We also played in the Rapan Cup (later called the Intertoto Cup), and I was the youngest among the players that I have now put in the first ideal team in your poll. I grew up with them and matured as a player. At the age of 16, I played for Jedinstvo, and then after 24 months I arrived at Budućnost - says Drobnjak.
Like most players from that period, but also those who had the privilege of being at the stadium under Gorica when Budućnost played, he nostalgically and emotionally recalls the matches and unforgettable days.
- More tickets were requested for our games, the stands were cramped - it was an experience for the city, people lived for football, very good football was played... It's not like today when you can count the fans in the stands without much trouble.
A special celebration were the matches against Partizan, Red Star, Dinamo and Hajduk.
- I loved when we played against the big four - every game motivated me, but they left you with a special feeling, you had the desire to prove yourself against the big ones. I remember the full stadium under Gorica, but also when we played at Marakana in front of 80.000 people, for example.
Nobody like Mijatović, football is for football people
Branislav Drobnjak played with two great generations of Buducnost, so he chose one player from each of them who left a special impression on him.
- From the first ideal team I put together, that was Ante Miročević, and from the other Predrag Mijatovic who in my opinion was the best player. He loved cooperation, he was a complete player - he had speed, dribbling, crossing, goals... Dejan Savicevic "He and I made up that second generation, which was very good," Drobnjak explained.
DON'T MISS IT
For a man who played more than 200 games for Buducnost, it is incomprehensible that Montenegrin clubs are not doing better thirty years after he hung up his boots.
- Today everything is different, politics is more at play, and it is clear that football should be left to football people - Drobnjak is explicit.
As he says, the biggest problem with Montenegrin football is that it is poorly done.
- So much time has passed, and we haven't learned how to work properly, and I'm afraid it will be a long time before we achieve any greater success. Montenegro is small, but it has great potential, there have always been talents, there are still some, but without real work, many have failed. You can see our league, players fall on the field, they get cramps, and that's the first sign that work is zero - concluded the defender, who, in addition to Budućnost and Jedinstvo, also played for OFK Titograd (on loan) and Tus from Graz.
The Drobnjak brothers together in a blue-white jersey
Branislav Drobnjak is the older brother. Ante Drobnjak, another great footballer of Buducnost. The brothers in blue and white were on the field together for a short time, but it was the more experienced one who was responsible for the Podgorica club gaining a top-class striker.
- We played together for a while, and then I left. He arrived at Buducnost with me, although he showed quality and could have gone to Red Star right away. However, I thought it was better for him to come to Buducnost, to be with me, and I don't think I was wrong. He showed himself there and it is known what kind of career he later had - Branislav pointed out.
Branislav Drobnjak's two teams
The former defender of the "blue and whites" decided on two ideal teams, which he put together from two generations of Buducnost. With a smile, he pointed out that his brother Anto was in one of them.
FIRST GENERATION
Momcilo Vujacic - Slavko Vlahovic, Momir Bakrac, Vojislav Vukcevic, Zoran Vorotovic - Janko Mirocevic, Petar Ljumovic, Ante Mirocevic - Zarko Vukcevic, Dragan Vujovic - Mojas Radonjic.
SECOND GENERATION
Ranko Cakić - Zeljko Petrovic, Miodrag Božović, Nisa Saveljić, Dragoljub Brnović - Branko Brnović, Miodrag Martać, Zoran Batrović - Dejan Savicevic, Predrag Mijatović - Anto Drobnjak.
Bonus video:
