The coach of Vojvodina, Božidar Bandović, and the attacker Mihailo Ivanović agreed that the defeat against Maribor hurts, but that the Old Lady has reasons for optimism before the rematch.

Tonight, Vojvodina lost against Maribor by 2:1, with the goal in the last second, and in the last 30 minutes they had 1 player less, because Slobodan Medojević was shown the red card.

  • I think that in the first half we were equal, we could have had a more secure pass and tactical positions, we had some issues on the right flank. Those two changes due to injuries were also problematic, and in the second half until we received that first goal, we had been the ones who could have scored. The red card was perhaps preceded by a foul, but we were left with a player less, we drew, and managed to come back into the match. We controlled the middle; we shouldn’t have received that goal. I congratulate the players on fighting, and our fans on giving us great support. We have one more match before us, and I believe that we can win this, and pass – Bandović said.

Mihailo Ivanović missed his best chance at the match, and pinpointed that we will work on his focus in the finish.

  • I believe that in the second half we could have used some chances, and that would have taken the match into an entirely different direction. The red card happened, and that changed some things on the pitch. We regret the missed chances, which I believe were due to the lack of focus, and we will work on that, and hopefully I will score the next time – Ivanović said.

Bandović highlighted that there was no reason for pessimism despite the defeat.

  • We should be positive, because against Ajax we showed that we are a good team, and that we have a good game style. We could have been better, especially in the first half, and I believe that as long as we make chances, the goals will follow. We could have avoided that red card, because it was far away from the goal. However, we need to remain positive and prepare for the rematch We lost many balls, and they used it in the transition. Our possession should be better, as well as our tactical positions in the attack. As for the energy, it was not lacking, the game just went to a different direction and that is why our pressing was missing in some moments – Bandović pinpointed.

In the end, he greeted the fans who came to support their team at the end of the match.

  • Our fans recognize our game style, and that we are fighters, and that can only be positive for us. I believe that our fans will be our 12th players in the rematch as well. We just need to be focused and patient. We will correct the mistakes, this defeat will not demotivate us, and I truly believe that we can win – Bandović concluded.

The rematch is scheduled for Thursday, August 15th at 8 pm in Bačka Topola.