“Confirmation that we are better than Partizan”

Peter Olaninka arrived at Crvena zvezda last summer as a player with a very decent reputation and experience behind him. He quickly won the sympathy of the fans, although under former coach Barak Bahar, he was one of the “victims” of tactical wandering and repacking of positions.

He consistently had solid minutes, regardless of the fact that most of the matches started as a reserve, he was a kind of 12th player. The guy who arrived at the Maracana from Slavia Prague always had something to say, unusual techniques and a sense of improvisation in crucial moments, he proved to be a real temptation and a hard-to-solve puzzle for opposing defenses.

Nevertheless, the Nigerian worked hard, patiently waited for a big day, in the end he met it when it was most needed and at the place where the ticket to football history is bought. The merits and the main role in both goals on Wednesday, against the bitter and only big rival Partizan, and even in a game that carries the final of the cup, is an achievement that will Olanjinka leave much larger letters written in the hearts of fans and in club newsletters.

A big, final-worthy victory was achieved against the fiercest rival, what are your impressions after a (not) good night’s sleep?

– The most beautiful possible. I am extremely glad that we managed to reach the finals of the Serbian Cup, and that we defeated our eternal rival twice in the space of four days.

Despite the defeat in the first league derby, Zvezda managed to eliminate Partizan on both fronts and practically come within a step of both cups?

– We knew even when we lost that we were a better team than Partizan, but now we proved it through these spring derbies. However, there is still a game to play and we have to be maximally focused and not relax, despite the difference of 10 points.

Crvena Zvezda improved its form and results all spring, as did most of the players. Did you dance your strongest dance when it was most needed?

– I am glad that I made history and scored in the eternal derby. I know very well how important games against the biggest rival are for the fans, but also for us. I’m overjoyed.

You are aware that with a goal in a match of such importance, both in terms of results and for eternal prestige, you bought a piece of history?

– I’m familiar with everything, I’ve really got used to Zvezda’s culture and I know how big a game the derby is.

The second goal is without a doubt one of the most beautiful in derbies in recent history?

– That just makes me even more impressed.

In the second half, you “drove” to the goal with a couple of skillful and attractive tricks, in the end a shot above the goal?

– I almost missed a goal even then, but that’s football.

How to maintain focus and not succumb to euphoria, realistically it must be there, it’s a natural thing?

– We are professionals and we must not be euphoric. The working atmosphere must be present and this is indeed the case with us. There is no celebration until the trophies are won.

Your plans are all related to Red Star, the fans certainly won’t let you leave, especially now that you’ve been given hero status. Joking aside, can this team, with some refreshments, make it to the Champions League again?

– We have quality. And during the autumn we showed that we can play with everyone in the Champions League, but we lacked more luck to secure the European spring. I believe that the next season will be better – he concluded Olanjinka.