The potent 19-year-old Montenegrin striker recently became a player for the seven-time European champions in a deal worth 3.5 million euros, which also caused a rift within the management of the Belgrade club over the amount of compensation.
Regardless, Kostić signed a contract with the San Siro club until June 30, 2030. He will join Milan on the call-up for next season.
In the meantime, the cult editorial team of Gazeta delo Sport contacted his former coach from Buducnost, Ivan Brnović, and the topic was precisely the super-talented goal scorer. The current strategist of the third-league team Stari Aerodrom, in an interview with a Milan sports newspaper, gave the Italians a closer look at Kostić's profile.
“He lives for goals. He has an innate ability to score goals and impressive strength with both feet. When Andrej is on the pitch you can be sure that something will happen. You can expect regular and spectacular goals from him”, began an extensive interview with Brnović, who won the title of champion of Montenegro at the centenary of Buducnost.
The Italians, as they traditionally do, were interested in which strikers from the past Kostić resembles. Brnović gave them an interesting answer…
"For me he is a mix of Filippo Inzaghi and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer".
Andrej scored in the youth team and first team jerseys of Buducnost, a combined total of about ten goals, while in the Partizan jersey he quickly found form and scored 11 times.
“Kole, as we have called him since he was a child, has always shown his instinct for goals, both in the younger categories and in all the younger teams of Montenegro, often against older opponents. He made his debut at the age of 16, and in his first full professional season in Podgorica he scored four goals, helping us win the title”Brnović emphasized.
Although very young, the beardless Montenegrin prospect immediately justified the epithet of great talent that has accompanied him since childhood upon joining the senior team of the Podgorica club.
“Last season, the strength of the group and the team spirit made the difference, and Kolé played a key role, especially as a substitute, often proving decisive. We won the championship, breaking all records by 24 points. It was a privilege to launch many young players like him over the years, who have gone on to big clubs, including Vasilije Adžić who is now at Juventus.”, explained the Montenegrin coach.
Journalist Giuseppe Giuliana He insisted that Brnović additionally introduce Kostić to Milan fans, who have inextricable memories of the glorious era tied to Montenegro. Dejan Savićević – Genius.
“Andrej is a wonderful guy, reserved, modest and well-mannered. On the field he has an excellent work ethic, performs every exercise with maximum intensity and has a great desire to improve. He also has great speed and strength and is good at attacking deep spaces. If he has the ball at his feet when facing the goal, don't expect an assist, but expect the ball to enter the net within 2-3 seconds”, the Old Airport coach pointed out, and added.
“There is still a lot of work to be done outside of scoring goals, especially in the game and cooperation with his teammates, as well as improving his technique. I think Milan will focus on these aspects first and foremost. Give him time and he will only grow. The way he plays reminds me of Inzaghi, only physically stronger. He is always on the verge of offside and does everything he can to score. At the same time, he has scored mainly as a substitute so far, so in that respect he reminds me especially of Solskjaer.”Brnović explained.
Undoubtedly, Milan took advantage of Partizan's complicated financial situation, whose vice president Predrag Mijatović expressed disappointment over the too small transfer fee, which led to a literal war with his former associates. However, from the Italian club's perspective, a very good job was done.
“Milan did an excellent job, although we have to wait for time to tell. Negotiations took place in December, but Mijatović refused to let him go because he wanted more money. In the meantime, the club faced financial difficulties and had to urgently sell one of its young talents in order to obtain a UEFA license. The choice fell on Andrej, which Milan made the most of, paying him much less than what they offered in January this year.”.
Brnović did not hide his satisfaction with Kostić's transfer to one of the biggest football clubs on the planet.
“I am especially proud and happy for him. It is all thanks to him, but also to his family who follow him closely and guide him in the right direction. It was exciting to see him arrive in Milan for his medical and signing. I really wish him the best of luck. I believe he will improve and show his innate ability to score goals.”, said the former coach of Cetinje, Igalo and Jezera.
Brnović touched on, among other things, the frequent comparisons between Kostić and Dusan Vlahovic, which has also been in Milan's orbit for some time.
"I'm not entirely sure that Italian football is the right league for him, but he has great instincts in the box so I'm optimistic. If he can score goals in Italy, he'll be able to do so in any top league in the future."
"Also, there are some similarities with Vlahovic because he is just as strong with his left foot and they both have excellent jumping skills. However, I think it is, as I said, more of a combination of Inzaghi and Solskjaer.".
Kostić is initially expected to join Milan Futuro, an under-23 team, through which he should gain additional experience in the lower Italian leagues before being launched into the first team.
"He will first have to prove his potential in Milan Futura before he gets a chance in the first team. If I were Allegri, I would always keep Andrej available because when you need a goal and you send him in the game in the last 15-20 minutes you can be sure that something will happen."
This is the most difficult question because Kolasinac is a unique player. If the coach believes in him and if he fits into the team's mechanics, he can become a star. However, I am sure that his work ethic will eventually lead him to become one of the best central strikers in Europe."Brnović concluded his interview with Gazeta delo Sport.
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