There are still two weeks left until the start of the second part of the season in the MeridianBet First Montenegrin Football League. Preparations are in the final phase, and the Sutjeska players are in Ulcinj - after the opening part in Nikšić, the "blues" in the southernmost Montenegrin municipality are gaining momentum for the first spring round and the clash against Buducnost in Podgorica.
During the preparation phase so far, Sutjeska has played five games and recorded four wins and a draw - the "blues" celebrated against Adria (7:1), Arsenal (3:0), Iskra (2:1) and Bokelj SBBet (1:0), and drew with Otrant-Olimpik (1:1). By the start of the season, Dejan Jelenić's team will play against Mladost, Jezera and Mornar, which will be a dress rehearsal before the continuation of the championship, which Sutjeska will enter even stronger, because it was very active on the market. Miloš Vračar, Deni Hočko, Marko Mrvaljević, Jovan Čađenović and Anto Babić arrived in Nikšić.
"I am satisfied with how the preparations are going, everything is of high quality. We have strengthened ourselves quite well for the Montenegrin conditions. We have strengthened the competition, which is the most important thing, so that we can work better and stronger. We are injury-free, we have played the friendly matches in the best way, we have won everything, which affects our confidence, but also helps the coaches to improve the things that we are doing well and to fix the shortcomings," Sutjeska footballer Andrija Ražnatović summed up the preparations so far for "Vijesti".
Sutjeska finished the first part of the season with four points more than Mornar, five more than Decic, and 11 more than Budućnost.
"The first part of the season was great, we are in first place. We have a long second part ahead of us. We are first, it's up to us to work as hard and as well as possible, to stay in the leading position and to look forward to the end."
Ražnatović is cautious, aware that there is still a lot to play for.
"Like us, all the other teams are working on reinforcements, analyzing their opponents, their strengths and weaknesses. Two rounds have passed, we all know each other, I think it will be more difficult now than in the first part. Currently, the courts are such that it will not play much of a role. But, as time goes on, the courts will be better, and the quality of the teams will come to the fore, which will suit us, because we are a quality team," Ražnatović pointed out.
The left-back arrived in Sutjeska from Karvina, Czech Republic, this summer. In the first part of the season, he played 19 games, scored five goals, and most notably scored a hat-trick in the away game against Bokelj, when the "blues" won 5:4.
"After two years, I felt that I needed a change and something new. Sutjeska showed me a plan, I liked that. It turned out that returning to Montenegro was a great success - considering our position and my games. I always say that it can be better, that there is room for improvement. I am satisfied, but aware of some of my shortcomings and worse games. I am aware that I can fix a lot of things, to make it better. There is room for improvement, and I hope that this half-season will be better and of higher quality, both individually and on a team level," said Ražnatović.
DERBY WILL NOT SOLVE ANYTHING
Sutjeska has the advantage at the top, but a response from Mornar and Dečić is expected in the rest of the season, as well as Buducnost, which had a very bad and turbulent first part of the season.
"Budućnost, Dečić and Mornar are quality teams. I think the league has never been better and more balanced. Everything is heading towards an uncertain finale. It's up to us to work, to try to make a noticeable difference as soon as possible and to separate ourselves."
The second half is already underway with a derby against Buducnost. Sutjeska won in Podgorica (1:0) in the first half, but lost in Niksic (2:0).
"A win in the derby would mean a lot to us. Both we and they are striving for that. A triumph would provide us with security, but also an escape in the standings. I think Buducnost has more pressure than us. But this match will not solve anything, whoever wins."
IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC I MATURED AS A PLAYER AND A MAN
Ražnatović left Buducnost in the summer of 2023 and moved to Karvina in the Czech Republic, where he stayed for two seasons. The period in the Czech Republic meant a lot to him, and he hopes to play abroad again in the future.
"There were oscillations. There were more good periods than bad. I learned a lot, it helped me a lot, I matured as a player and a person. It helped me improve, to see how clubs abroad function, since I had spent my entire career in Montenegro up until then. I try to do the things I learned there here. I hope that the journey will lead me beyond the borders of Montenegro again."
He is contractually bound to Sutjeska, but it is clear that he wishes to one day be abroad again.
"I am contractually bound to Sutjeska. Like every player from the Montenegrin league, I would like to try to create something abroad. I am currently a player of Sutjeska. As things stand, I will stay there. I would like to win the title, and in the summer, see something that will satisfy both the club and me. I would like to try abroad again."
And before going abroad, there is one more wish - a title.
"I won two titles and two Cups in the Buducnost jersey. I would like to say goodbye to Sutjeska with a title. I owe that. Everyone accepted me in a wonderful way - the guys, the coaching staff and the club. The relationship is beautiful. I would like to thank them with a title," concluded Andrija Ražnatović.
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