The coach of Vojvodina FC, Miroslav Tanjga is optimistic before the derby with TSC in another direct duel for the placement in Europe.

Players of the Old Lady have a chance to row the fifth consecutive victory in all competitions, and by doing that make a significant step forward when it comes to the placement in Europe.

  • We are facing another demanding match, a local derby and one that deserves that name. The results that TSC have achieved in the past several years deserve compliments. We are rising from game to game, and both us and them have the highest possible ambitions. TSC is excellently organized, and deserves all the attention, and compliments. The fact is that lately they have been going through a mini-crisis, but that cannot fool us, we need to enter this match like we did these previous matches. As a team we are playing more seriously, and we keep the focus longer and longer, not only in the first half of the game. Since the beginning I believed in these guys, and I was not wrong to do so. They know what they want, after the crisis and apathy. This is just one of the six, seven final matches. This is our third match in seven days, and it is not easy after a long travel to Novi Pazar. I would like to use this chance to thank Pazar for their hospitality and congratulate their fans on the great atmosphere. We showed winning character at that match and that we deserve the placement to Europe. Still, it should not be just a one-hit wonder, but we should keep playing like that until the finish of the season. We are facing another difficult rival, with whom we will meet twice in two weeks- Tanjga said.

The midfielder of Vojvodina FC, Dragan Kokanović, agreed that this match has a great importance.

  • We know that TSC is one good team and that we are facing a demanding match. We will focus on our game, to play well and organized, to respect the rival, but we also know our advantages. We used up a lot of energy in Novi Pazar, and it is very important to be focused for the entire 90 minutes and use the chances we create. Also, I would like to invite the fans to come and support us, in our fight for the positive result – Kokanović highlighted.

Tanjga then talked about the health conditions in the team, since Aleksa Vukanović and Marko Veličković had missed the match in Novi Pazar.

  • Aleksa practiced yesterday, while Veličković still has issues, we will see if they will be ready for the game. We still have plenty of time until Sunday evening, and we’ll see how they feel. I believe that we will have almost everyone at our disposal. We are aware that there will be some exhaustion, but TSC is also tired. We are preparing and hoping for the best – Tanjga said.

He then spoke about the potential suspensions until the end of the season, due to the yellow cards.

  • Potential suspensions are always a problem, Crnomarković and Korać are close to the border, but we cannot calculate. TSC is a new derby, and that is how we are approaching this match. Each player of Vojvodina is here because we believe that they can meet our demands, and that is why we have over 20 players in the team. We are focused on our system and our game, and we want to lower the mistakes in the game to the minimum – Tanjga said.

Tanjga agreed that for the team of TSC this match against Vojvodina is the last train to Europe, and that they will play accordingly.

  • I cannot think for them, but I believe that the match in the Cup is the decisive match for them. They have been lagging in the championship for a while now, but TSC is such a club where they enter each match with the desire to win. Just like we don’t make calculations. For them this is the last chance to join the European train, because we have an advantage of 7 points, so with a positive result they could stay in the game. However, we don’t want to deal with calculations, only with our game, because good game brings results – Tanjga said.

In the end, he answered the question of whether he is thinking about staying in the coaching role the next season.

  • We are half-way to our goal, and it is too early to talk about the next season and how things will work. First of all, I want us to secure the placement to Europe, whether it will be Europa League of Conference League, we are here and we will not be rash, we should wait for the end of the season, and then talk about the future – Tanjga concluded.