Popović: We have united the people – Zeta is the club of all Zeta residents

The Zeta football club has gone from a team in a difficult position in the standings to one that decides its own destiny. Six wins in the second half of the season, a triumph in the big derby against Zabjelo, around 2.000 people in the stadium and an atmosphere that has reawakened the whole of Zeta – this is the story of a club that has once again brought its people together. Zeta is now deciding its own destiny in the Centar Association League.

"It wasn't easy, that's for sure. Zeta was in third place at the time, seriously behind the leading team and with a realistically small chance of reaching the play-off position. However, when you take over a club like Zeta, you don't look at the table - you look at the size of the name, history and potential. I believed that this group of people could do much more than they showed then," Zeta president Dragan Popović told CG Fudbal.

He pointed out that the energy had changed.

"The energy has changed. From day one, we insisted on unity, discipline and a clear idea. The players accepted it, the coaching staff did a top job and it all transferred to the pitch. I would especially highlight the victory against Zabjelo in the big derby – that was the moment when the belief that we could go all the way returned."

There were about 2.000 people at the derby against Zabjelo.

"It wasn't just a match – it was proof that Zeta is alive again. The stadium was full, the energy was incredible, people recognized the emotion that this team carries. Zeta is the club of all Zeta residents and when that's the case, then the results come. That match united people and restored faith that together we can create a great story."

Zeta decides its own fate, but Popović emphasizes that there is no pressure.

"It's not pressure, it's a privilege. We've come to a position where everything depends on us and that's what we wanted. If we continue on this path and achieve victories until the end, the last round against Balkan Eagles will decide first place. It's a scenario we could only dream of a few months ago."

Popović emphasized that the coaching staff's merits are enormous.

"Coach Aleksandar Majić, his assistant Vladimir Boljević and goalkeeper coach Davor Brnović are doing an outstanding job. They have established a system, discipline and faith in the players. Every detail is covered, nothing is left to chance. That is the foundation of this result. We have introduced video analysis of matches, detailed statistical and tactical monitoring of players, as well as special attention to the development of young football players who are the backbone of our team. These are things that even clubs with much larger budgets could envy. We want to work professionally in every segment, regardless of the competition level," Popović emphasized.

Popović wants to return Zeta to the top of Montenegrin football.

"Zeta was a symbol of Montenegrin football at the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st century – the first title in an independent state, regular appearances in Europe. That is no coincidence and that is not forgotten. Our goal is to return the club step by step to where it belongs – to the top of Montenegrin football. Zeta is an example of how a community should function. Here, no one looks at anyone through religion, nationality or politics. We are all one when it comes to Zeta. We want to show that sport can be an example to the entire society – that together we can do much more than individually. Thank you to the fans for recognizing this story. They are our strength. This is not just a team, this is more than that. If we continue together like this – Zeta will not stop here. This is just the beginning," concluded Popović in an interview for CG Fudbal.