Crvena zvezda won the 173rd eternal derby last Saturday and embraced the championship cup with one hand, but the eternal football race continues today in the semi-finals of the cup. On the way to the defense of the trophy in a more massive competition, the red and whites have in front of them always the biggest competitor and challenger – the neighbors with whom they share Topčidersko brdo.
Red Star coach Vladan Milojević says that the high stakes and the fact that there is no substitute in the cup could bring a different derby than the three championships we watched this season, which saw as many as 12 goals (six on both sides).
– The cup is a totally different competition, unlike the championship where you can fix mistakes and score balance in other matches, this is a knockout system. The stakes are high for both teams, the winner goes to the final. Our ambitions are clear, we want to go all the way and win the cup – says Milojevic.
On the other hand, the head of the red and white team notes that there can be no big personal and tactical surprises.
– I think we are ready, we tried to rest in the meantime. There are no strangers between us and Partizan, we know each other well. There may be different details, because as I said, the match is for relegation, but there can hardly be any big surprises.
Last weekend, Partizan had the advantage twice again, but it was not enough even for a draw.
– Partizan did not surprise us, we could see that they changed some mechanisms, as well as the players. In the first spring derby, the black and whites played with Nath, Zahid and Ovus, in the last one there was no Nath from the start. In any case, Partizan is a good team, we will see what colleague Igor Duljaj has prepared.
Despite the fact that Crvena Zvezda scored three goals last weekend, a large number of missed opportunities is becoming a chronic problem, especially in matches with the eternal rival.
– Realization is something that has been shown not to work properly. On the other hand, I am happy that we are attacking and creating chances. I hope that the time will come when we will end the actions in an easier way. It is possible that we lack concentration, but Partizan has good goalkeepers, it depends on the given situations and the opponent himself.
In his first term as coach, in addition to two titles and historic results in Europe, Milojevic he failed to win the most massive domestic competition. Admittedly, he lifted the cup in Crvena Zvezda once as a player (in 1996).
– When you are a player you directly influence the game, as a coach only on some things. All in all, it’s nice to be a part of the derby, the match has a special charm, a specific charge and temperament, a lot of things that you can’t see in other matches. It doesn’t matter if it’s the championship or the cup. Rivalry exists, the real sporting one, and it should be within those frameworks.
According to his coaching philosophy, Milojević does not like to wander and experiment with the composition. The two championship duels he led this season, he started with the same lineup, changes in today’s cup clash can happen primarily because of the health bulletin.
– Rodić didn’t train for two days, we spared him, we’ll see what the medical team says and how he feels himself. I really appreciate the opinion of the players, they know best if they are ready for this kind of game. There is a huge expenditure on matches like this, we have a couple of players who complain, according to all that we will choose the first eleven – says Milojevic.
Milan Rodić was replaced at halftime of the 173rd eternal derby due to back pain, Naser Điga appeared in his place in the sequel, somewhat surprisingly.
– Điga did what we asked, for him it was a specific position. He gave his best in an unforeseen situation, I’m glad to have professionals in the team who are ready to sacrifice themselves for their team at any moment. At the end of the day, the coach’s job is to get the most out of the players – it’s clear Milojevic.
THE SHERIFF CAN DO EVEN BETTER
Sheriff Endia and despite the goals in all three league derbies, he continues to open controversies in the public and among the fans.
– The public is often divided, some like it and some don’t. Sheriff can certainly do better, so can the other players, we will work and see at the end of the season what we have done – says Milojevic.
THE PARTISAN DOESN’T DISTURB OUR PLANS
The coach of Crvena zvezda says that threats from the camp of the eternal rival that he will not appear in today’s match did not affect the work of his team.
– I don’t know what is happening in Partizan, nor do I want to comment, they certainly don’t disturb our plans in that way. My players know how to behave, other things don’t touch me. We are focused on our game, all other questions are for them – says Milojevic.
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