The coach of Vojvodina FC Ranko Popović congratulated his players on their win over the team of IMT.
The players of the old lady triumphed against IMT with the result 2:1, which is the fourth consecutive win of Vojvodina at Karađorđe.
– I think that today’s opponent deserves a lot more respect than is shown to the coaches who try to play football. Here, we still pay attention to what the referee will say, we roll over the pitch, scream before a foul, and that’s why we have a problem in Europe. Even before the match I said to my players that I have a great respect for everything that my colleague on the bench of IMT does. They play a simple, yet concrete game, there are many of them during the attack finish line, and I want to say this publicly, because we should cherish and protect coaches like these. As for us, not until a few minutes before the game, we didn’t even know who would be able to play. Malbašić and Milosavljević both had a stomach flu, so Bjeković had been in the lineup before the afternoon break, so he wasn’t on the bench. We caught some virus, and I say this so that you could have respect towards everything we do. We did a lot in a short amount of time, but we can’t correct over night some things that had been piling up. If you compare our attitude on the pitch, and how we end the game, both like players and racers. When the boys deserve to be criticized, they will be, when they deserve praise, they will be praised. This was another important game, because for us each game is important, and we want to go step by step, and be great like today – Popović said.
He also reflected on the positive reactions of his players, who played more fierce in the defense, and the audience recognized that.
– I keep repeating to my players that if you attitude is right, then no one will boo you from the stands. We need the fans, loosen up on the players a little bit, believe me, each curse word is heard. I personally don’t have a problem with that, I know I am ugly and bald, to me it’s just a motif to show more, but you have to support the players. Some parts of the stand we need more than others, but we will make them support us, by showing good attitude and commitment. There were some nice tries tonight, actions, and I repeat once more, the faster the ball goes, the more dangerous we are. We will try to play more and faster forward, and I am glad people notice that, and that’s a compliment to my boys – Popović highlighted.
The coach of Voša specifically singled out two players tonight – Mihailo Ivanović, and the returnee, Stefan Đorđević.
– Miha is a wonderful child, and he is amazing at training sessions, and it’s not easy for him to make a switch in his brain, because he still has Italy in his head. The return is never easy, because when you go somewhere full of enthusiasm, and then come back to a place where they don’t have trust in you, it’s difficult. I never doubted him because I saw some things, and it was my responsibility to set him free, and that you all see this. I can always handle a young players who has the quality, and Mihailo has examplary behaviour. This should just be one additional motif for him to continue on this path, and then we will have a lo of joy together. Stefan Đorđević played like a doctor. He was also not planned for the starting eleven, but when we talked we realized that we could count on him. It was my wish that he joins us. And this is how God rewards someone for doing a good job. It has been a while since I saw a player at any position read the game like him, how many balls he cut, how many chances he made, entered a chance, although it was an offside, but it’s important that he felt the space. I can only talk about the period since I have arrived, and the boys are giving their maximum. I start drooling when I see a player who reads the game, who doesn’t chase after the ball, but knows where and when he should be. When I get home, I will drink a glass of wine in his honor, because he truly wowed me – Popović said.
He announced that he will continue his philosophy, and that means to create winners through hard work and a faster game.
– As a coach, none of my teams ever played not to win, and I always had that approach, and will continue to do so in Vojvodina, because that’s how you create winners. In a year of work, what kind of team will you have? True winners, and that’s what Voša lacked in the past, and when it’s like that, then fans will return and support us. Today it was nice, and we want to continue like that – Ranko Popović concluded.
