Head Coach Vladan Milojević addressed the media ahead of tomorrow's Belgrade Derby. He said that it's not „just one of the games“ despite the fact that it could only bring three points.
“It’s one of those fixtures you live for. It’s more than a game. But in terms of training, you must prepare for it just like for any other match. We will train again on Tuesday afternoon and only then will I be able to decide on the starting eleven and some tactical details.”
Winger Nemanja Radonjić is out with a foot injury, but everyone else is available for selection.
“I’ve got quite a few decisions to make because the players have been doing so well recently. Whatever team you go for, there will be someone who deserves to play but had to be left out due to tactics and the sheer fact I can only pick eleven players. But it’s a good thing I’ve got so many in-form players to pick from.”
Crvena zvezda have opened a nine-point gap between themselves and second-placed Partizan.
“It’s a nice position we’re in, but it counts for nothing in this sort of games. Besides, the point cushion must not change the way we approach this derby. I won’t allow that. Our attitude must the same we’d have if this was the first match of the season. If you relax too much, you will get punished. We have to be at 100%.”
Milojević, who has been praised for Zvezda’s strong showings so far this season, expects a tough, low-scoring match tomorrow.
“The importance of these games usually takes its toll so they are not very pretty. Most derbies don’t exactly offer attractive, attacking football. There’s a lot at stake and neither team wants to lose.”
The media is already full of transfer rumors ahead of the upcoming winter break, but Milojević doesn’t want to talk about that.
“We’ve got an extremely important match ahead of us, so transfer talk has to wait. I don’t enjoy being in the transfer market – I always look forward to the day it finishes. I want to concentrate on training and football matches. Transfers will have to wait until after New Year.”
A journalist asked if Milojević reads quotes from Partizan’s staff and players.
“I don’t really care what’s being said. They are free to say whatever they want. It’s a free country.”