He is the only player who could be in the all-time ideal teams of the two biggest Montenegrin clubs - Buducnost and Sutjeska.
"Pobjeda" chose him in a large poll back in 1988 as the best right winger in Montenegrin football ever - 37 years have passed, but a new poll would hardly change this choice.
Those who watched him say he had a feint that always worked - all opponents knew what he was going to do, no one could stop him.
He is Drago “Četka” Kovačević, a legend of Sutjeska and Buducnost, and Montenegrin football in general.
He came to Sutjeska from Rudar, and was part of perhaps the strongest generation of the Nikšić club, the one that brought Sutjeska to the First League in 1971. Just three years later, he was the biggest signing for the first-league team, Buducnost, a team that, after a six-year “torment” in the qualifications, made it to the strongest federal level. The golden era of Titograd football began, with Drago Kovačević, among others.
"Četka" is now turning 80, with very poor health, but in his hazy memories he still clearly remembers many details. First of all - great football players, great names, great teammates.
- I had the opportunity to play with many great players, against many great players, I then had the opportunity to coach some, watch some, but Tonko Miročević i Dejan Savicevic "They are the best football players I have ever met. Not only in Buducnost, this applies to all the teams of the former country, even the big four. I have never seen such masters," says Drago Kovačević.
The words of the legend themselves speak volumes about the football treasure Buducnost had.
- When I mention them, I can't help but mention Baju Samatović, my dear teammate from Sutjeska, and he is somewhere in that range!
Baja Samatovic, "Best "from Bistrica" - he and Kovačević were perhaps the best pair of wingers in the former Yugoslavia. Both had long hair, a rebellious spirit, they tormented their opponents, entertained the audience.
Kovačević continued to do so in the Buducnost jersey, with whom he played in the Marshal Tito Cup final in 1977, just two years after arriving.
- That final brings both pride and sadness, we could have become the first and only team to win such a big trophy. And we were better than Hajduk in regular time, although plagued by injuries. We lost in overtime. I still remember how many people from Montenegro went to Belgrade to watch that match, that crowd at Marakana... It's a shame we didn't make them happy in the final, that we didn't take that one more step.
Before, then, and later - Kovačević remembers many great football players from Buducnost. And he chooses the ideal team.
- Goalkeepers Jovo Hajduković i Moma Vujacic I remember them from earlier times, as true panthers in goal, but I still choose them as the best team. Dragoje Leković"He was at the World Championship from Buducnost, from that great Yugoslavia," says Kovačević.
Right back, Miso Folić, his former coach. And a short description:
- The gentleman in the football boots, the gentleman by the bench!
When it comes to the center-back pair, Kovačević "comes back" Janko Miročević from the midfield:
- He could be both, that's how he was - versatile. With him in a pair Miodrag Božović Count, he didn't get that nickname by chance. At left back Zoja Vorotović, he had so much strength it was unbelievable!
Midfield...
- Caco Ljumovic, he could play "with his eyes closed". Then the greatest one I played with - Tonko Miročević. With them and Predrag Mijatovic, world class football.
When it comes to attack, Kovačević chooses this trio:
- Dejan Savićević, there's no need to waste words on him. He was called a "genius" and that nickname perfectly describes his game. He could do anything with the ball, no matter how many opponents attacked, he could find a way through. He and Tonko just had to pass the ball - and then we didn't have to worry. Then Žarko Vukčević, he scored a lot of goals in the Buducnost jersey, and in the very top flight he was inimitable Mojas Radonjic, one of my favorite teammates, we got along so well on the field. Usually I was the one crossing and he scored.
Kovačević then chooses another team:
- Hajduković was level with the crossbar when he was making a parade! So, he's in goal, the defenders Dusko Vlaisavljević i Goran Perišić, halves Danilo Karadzic i Cedo Milosevic. In midfield Zeljko Petrovic, Dimo Mitrovic i Drasko Bozovic, in attack Vasilije Jovanovic, Guzo Vujovic i Bajica Martinovic.
Kovačević concludes:
- It's impossible to choose the ideal team. There have been so many great players, before me, after me. I chose based on my affinity, how I watched football, or how I liked one of my teammates. I hope those I didn't choose for the team aren't angry.
Brush - for hair, and penetration...
Drago Kovačević only got the nickname "brush" when he joined Budućnost.
- It's because of the long hair - says Drago.
And the breakthroughs with which he "erased" everything - we add.
There is an anecdote that Drago Kovačević under Gorica liked to attack towards the goal facing northwest, towards the “Budo Tomović” Youth Center. They jokingly said that he liked to attack - the way to Nikšić!
Before he came to Buducnost, he left an indelible mark wearing the Sutjeska jersey.
Two of Kovačević's ideal teams for Buducnost
FIRST TEAM: Dragoje Leković - Milutin Miso Folic, Janko Miročević, Miodrag Božović, Zoran Zoja Vorotović - Petar Caco Ljumović, Ante Miročević, Pedja Mijatović - Dejan Savićević, Zarko Vukčević - Mojaš Radonjić.
SECOND TEAM: Jovo Hajduković - Duško Vlaisavljević, Danilo Karadžić, Čedo Milošević, Goran Perišić - Željko Petrović, Dimo Mitrović, Draško Božović - Vasilije Jovanović, Dragan Vujović - Bajica Martinović.
Bonus video:
