Milojević: We know whose coat of arms we represent and how to respond to Bode

- We have great respect for Bode, but we are not afraid of anyone. We have two games ahead of us, the first is tomorrow and we are only thinking about it with the aim of playing the best we can. We will see how much the opponent will allow us, and the result at the end. I expect a fast game for sure. There was a lot of talk about the surface, it's artificial grass, it will be fast, we'll see what the weather conditions are like tomorrow. The fact is that this is not the foundation we are used to. We played with Čukarički in Pancevo on artificial grass, but that surface has no point of contact with the one in Norway. The surface will give rhythm and speed in the flow of the ball, but that is also Bode's style of play. They have a system, they play fast, they are quick, short passes, and we have to adapt to the field - started Milojević.

He also referred to the health bulletin.

- Glazer didn't go with us, but that's because of precaution. The injury has not gotten worse, but we don't want to take a risk, because he didn't train with the team. I have confidence in goalkeeper Ilić and I congratulate him on being called up to the national team. As for the others, we have some problems, and today after training I will see and decide on the first 11.

He went on to analyze Bode.

- They play in a well-known system, which has positioned them on the map of Europe, and led to the fact that they are regularly champions of Norway. They are organized, disciplined, and play identically at home and away. They will be aggressive, but so will we. A trench battle awaits us.

Milojević also spoke about his team.

- This game is important to us, like any other. We have been preparing all summer... We are playing against a serious opponent who has already won the Norwegian championship, and is in full rhythm and in the right momentum. We are coming from Prirpem where we had injured players and national team members who had a break. That's the biggest problem for me, the unknown as much as we can at this moment. However, I know we can do a lot, but we have to find the right rhythm. Drkušić also came two or three days ago... We have to do many things on the fly. We are not at our best, but I hope that tomorrow we will be much better than in the previous games.

Milojević did not want to look back at the bookmakers' estimates.

- I don't bet and I don't deal with it. I wouldn't even predict the result. We need to give our maximum and see what the result will be.

Goalkeeper Ilić knows the Bode team well.

- He is a quality goalkeeper and man, we followed him in Serbia and abroad, even in Norway, but there is no surprise in the sense that he can provide us with some information that we do not know. We will see how much that experience from Norway will help Marko tomorrow. Bode knows everything about us, and we about them, that time of surprise is over, because there is the Internet. I repeat, their advantage is that they play on a surface that suits them. In Serbia, we play in hot weather, the pitches are bad, but not because of the clubs, but because it is difficult to maintain them at high temperatures.

A journalist from Norway was interested in what would happen in Serbia if Zvezda did not enter the Champions League.

- It would be... I don't want to say a harsh word, but that's how we are. However, as a team we think football-wise, we train and I am always proud of my players. They know for which club they perform, that Zvezda is full of emotions, passion, love and that it all goes to the extreme. Still, this is just football. We will fight for our club, we have many new players, we talked with them about it, although it is difficult, because our philosophy and that of Bode are diametrically opposed. They can bring the best players back to their club, while here, whoever shows up, goes abroad. Today I have a completely different team than in December when I took over Zvezda. Bode has had, not the same trainer, but also a physiotherapist for years. They made time for themselves, we don't have that and we work on the fly, but it's a challenge and honestly? I like it that way.

And who is the favorite according to coach Milojević?

- Let's say that Bode is the favorite. I don't know, that's easy to say. The chances are 50-50 before two games, but let it be that they are slight favorites because they have played 21 games in the championship and are the hosts tomorrow. We have a great desire to bring Zvezda to where we want it to be. We'll see tomorrow, the field is the benchmark - Milojević concluded.

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