Radonjić: "We need to work on aggressiveness, there were fewer bad things than good ones"

Budućnost players returned to Podgorica after completing two weeks of preparations on Zlatibor.

In the capital of Montenegro, they will complete the final phase of preparations for the upcoming season.

Srđan Radonjić, head of the "blue and whites", summed up his impressions from Zlatibor in an interview with the club's website.

"We did everything we set out to do, we made the most of our preparations on Zlatibor, played strong matches and saw some things we need - which were good and which were bad," said Radonjić.

They played three friendly matches on the Serbian mountain. Radnik from Surdulica and Radnički from Kragujevac defeated Buducnost 3:1 each, while the "blue and white" were better than OFK Belgrade (2:0). They were supposed to play their last match against Mladost from Lucan, but their rival canceled the match.

"Honestly, there were fewer bad things than good things. We lost two games to teams that are ten days ahead of us, we are partly to blame for those defeats, and they came after hard training. As soon as we refreshed ourselves a little, we played great against OFK Belgrade, for whom it was practically a "general's day", we eliminated some rookie mistakes, and acted compactly. A lot of young players also played, they showed potential, it was clear that we are functioning well. Now we have two and a half weeks until the championship, we need to continue to work well and hope for the best", Radonjić explained.

The young coach has gathered around him a young and promising team in his coaching staff, eager to prove themselves, gain knowledge and improve.

"I don't want to talk about names, but all the young men have shown quality and potential, they are all national team players in their respective teams, and it certainly seems like a danger when 16-17 year old boys start in the starting 11. However, we are ready for oscillations, and the older ones are here, who have also shown will and desire, and I think we have created a nice combination of youth and experience," said the former goal scorer.

"We are aware that many young players can be a double-edged sword, but we are taking everything seriously. We will rotate these young players because we don't want to "burn them out" either, so that they don't have to carry a heavy burden from round to round. There are plenty of games in the season, there will be room for everyone, as there was in the preparations. Some played more, some less, but they have shown potential and it is up to all of them to continue working seriously and, if they are dedicated, they have a bright future ahead of them."

Aggressiveness is something that Radonjić wants to improve, but he is happy that a good atmosphere has been created within the team and that the older and younger players have bonded.

"We certainly need to work on aggressiveness, which is generally lacking in all Montenegrin teams. Of course, we also need to pay attention to tactical matters, so that young players can master it, but it is a process and it does not come easily even in big clubs with big players. However, I am pleased with the character of both the older and younger players, we have created a good atmosphere and, if we transfer everything we are doing to the field in the championship – I believe that we will not oscillate much and that we will play a serious role," said Srđan Radonjić.