I started as a striker, then Špaco told me: If you listen to me, you'll be a real defensive footballer

In his youth days, he showed promise as a striker, and in the OFK Titograd jersey, he was even among the top scorers, and who would have thought that during that period... Niša Saveljića Could he have assumed that a big football name, through Buducnost, Partizan, Bordeaux, through appearances in the Yugoslav national team, would build from the position of center midfielder?

Niša himself probably didn't think about it, he saw himself as a goal scorer in the near future, but the brain of the famous Stanko Spaca Poklepović wanted something else.

His vision changed Nisa's career.

- I was 17 years old when I made my debut for Špac against Čelik from Zenica. He discovered me, but not only me. He created several generations of Buducnost with recognizable work, player development, technique and tactics. Poklepović created the base as it should be done - says Saveljić.

And so a defender was "born" from the already seen attacker.

- How did it happen? I was in Bar for training with the first team of Buducnost, together with Željko Janović, Dragoljub Brnović, all by sheer size... I came as a striker, was one of the best in the youth league, and Špaco quickly told me in his Dalmatian way: "Asti gospe, you will be a defender. If you listen to me, you will be a real player," Niša remembers and notes:

- If they told me to stand on the crossbar, I would have climbed up immediately. As the youngest football player, I went to get newspapers for the older ones, brought fruit, chocolates, I did all that without saying a word - I listened to everything. And when Špaco told me that I should be a defender, that's what I did. He made a training session for me, there was a jump game and the like. He didn't hide his enthusiasm and that's how it all started.

- I made my debut as a midfielder and Špaco suggested that I go to Bokelj so I could play more. We competed in the Third League there, played quite well. I was then in Mogren, then he definitely brought me back to Buducnost.

That 1988/1989 season began a career that would later become very, very serious.

- I had my real debut against Sloboda from Tuzla. I had the task of looking after a great jumper Nedžad VerlaševićThey were overjoyed at how I matched him, me as thin as he was against the boulder he was at that time.

The future and Titograd - that was one and the same.

- I remember everything, I remember it with pride because Buducnost is in my heart. Titograd and Buducnost were like a religion in our time. I lived in the city center, on Hercegovačka Street, where Buducnost's games and results were commented on daily. Everyone on the street, of course, was a coach, and on the day of the match they knew when they met me to ask: "Niša, 'will we get' someone today?"

Niša had to "earn" every second on the field.

- When I was a youngster, I worked at Plantaže for pocket money. Everything was subordinated to success and helped me to be better, to progress in Partizan, and later in Bordeaux...

Saveljić was coached by great coaches at OFK Titograd and Buducnost.

- I mentioned Špac, Titograd was an inexhaustible source of talent, and I started at OFK Titograd. That's why I have to remember Petar Sanj Ljumovic, after Milačić's Dam, Vaso Ivanovic's... There was a galaxy of coaches, later with Tonka i Janko Miročević, p Milutin Miša Folić - I especially highlight him, he pointed out some details to me so that even as a defender I could play forward.

He also admits that he was afraid of Mišo Folić.

- I was afraid of his ring on his right hand - says Niša with a smile.

- He knew how to hit us on the head with it. We had great respect, it was an education in the right direction. But there was a culture, the very ambiance of Titograd, Slobodan Škerović Gymnasium, the spirit of the fans that was transmitted to the stands... All of that was something we were proud of.

He doesn't want to skip either. Ghana of Ceric i Dimitrija Dima Mitrović.

- They all shaped me, even later. Mojas Radonjic, Milovan Djoric i Milan Zivadinovic. Dimo ​​Mitrović, I remember, told me: “They taught you to fight, and you are very good technically.”

And what are Niša's three favorite matches in the Buducnost jersey?

- The debut I mentioned against Sloboda, when I stopped Verlašević, the victory over Dinamo in Titograd when Ćerić led us, and at Dimo ​​the triumph over Partizan, a very strong Partizan. It was 3:1, we were leading 3:0 at half-time - what a match that was...

Niša could have gone to Hajduk from Split before the war (Budućnost wanted a lot of money), he could have gone to Crvena zvezda afterwards, and he ended up in Hajduk from Kula. How and why Kula from Podgorica?

- The sanctions had just started, my contract at Buducnost was expiring. Vojvodina had asked me to come, Buducnost wouldn't let me. I stayed until the end of the season, my contract expired, and Hajduk was expanding at the time, with strong sponsors. To relatives. At that time I was starting a family and it was important to me to do well financially. I had a coach Nenad Starovlaha, agile club management, so Hajduk entered the First League. I stayed for a year and a half, Hajduk paid off for me and I for him. Then I went to Partizan. And I made a crucial step - concluded Saveljić.

Best 11: Željo and Brnović would still be difference-making defenders

It is practically impossible to assemble the ideal Buducnost team, but Niša Saveljić believes he has chosen the best 11.

Who is the best goalkeeper?

- Dragoje Leković. I played with him and Saša Petrović, but I give Dragoje the advantage because he was a member of the national team and because we played together at the 1998 World Cup - said Saveljić.

Niš says that they would be a miracle in those positions today, as far as right and left backs are concerned.

- Right back Željko Petrović, left back Dragoljub Brnović.

Why Zeljo?

- A man with incredible charisma, humor, he is a representative of Titograd from the gangster era. So small, yet technically powerful and grumpy - he was able to stop anyone. I remember how he played against Janko Janković from Rijeka, that match "promoted" him to the Dinamo squad, where he was one of the best players. He was a footballer ahead of his time.

And the elder Brnović?

- He was a great professional, with incredible technique and could play in multiple positions. Later, Zoran Bata Mirković was similar to him... Dragoljub could even guard a Maradona. Along with Želj Petrović and Robert Jarni, a player who would make a big difference in today's football from the wing positions - Saveljić is clear.

Among the midfielders, he "chooses" Miodrag Božović and Slavko Vlahović.

- Count Božović was on the wider national team roster under Ivica Osim. A true captain, a leader - he gave a lot to Buducnost, probably more than it gave him. As a kid, I learned a lot from him. He was my idol, recognizable by his sliding starts.

- Slavko Vlahović is a club legend, a famous captain. In his old age he was too fast, faster than most. A true example for all of us, he knew how to correct me when I wasn't doing something right.

Now is the time to give space to the masters of football.

- Branko Brnović was a true all-round player. A leader, someone who always pulled the team towards success with his attitude towards the game and professionalism.

Predrag Mijatović is next.

- Pedja is rarely a complete personality - as a player, as a person, and a great friend of mine. We played in OFK Titograd and the national team, were roommates... He was always a true leader, everything he did later as a player and manager was no accident. Only those of us who played with him know what he was like. We all progressed with him.

And Dejan Savicevic?

- I played with Dejo when his career was on the decline due to injuries, but I remember him from his best period. He is definitely among the best in history, shoulder to shoulder with Tonko Miročević, although I would give him the advantage. Dejo did everything at the right time, he had that genius of moves. No matter how trends change, he could be the leading player at any moment.

Ante Tonko Miročević is also unique.

- He marked and wrote the history of our football. He was my coach at Buducnost. The training sessions we had with him were somehow a perfect introduction to professional waters. The pace of play, the technique, the perfection... Listening to what previous generations say - he was unique.

There is room for another swashbuckler on the field - Dragan Guzo Vujović.

- A virtuoso - his movements, his impudence on the field... He was a street player, and under Milan Živadinović he was so good in the Buducnost jersey that no one could do anything to him.

The best nine is Anto Drobnjak, says Saveljić.

- No doubt. He was unfairly left out of the list for the 1998 World Cup. It was a combination of circumstances and politics, he should have been there, because he played brilliantly in Bastia, then Lens. We were together in Buducnost - a modern striker, he could still be that today, because he played football according to world standards. I repeat, I still regret today that he was not at the World Cup, he found out at the airport that he was not going to France - says Saveljić.

Niš's two best teams

The best team in the history of Buducnost, as chosen by Niša Saveljić, consists of:

Dragoje Lekovic - Zeljko Petrovic, Miodrag Bozovic, Slavko Vlahovic, Dragoljub Brnovic - Branko Brnovic, Predrag Mijatovic, Ante Mirocevic - Dejan Savicevic, Dragan Vujovic, Anto Drobnjak.

The second best team is:

Sasa Petrovic - Dusko Vlaisavljevic, Miodrag Vukotic, Branislav Drobnjak, Zoran Vorotovic - Janko Mirocevic, Petar Caco Ljumovic - Savo Barac, Viktor Trenevski, Srdan Dmitrovic - Zeljko Janovic.