Derby in Tuzi: Dečić welcomes the leader
The biggest attention is focused on the “Besa Arena”, where Dečić will host the leading Sutjeska. The team from Nikšić has seven points more than Tuzan and second-placed Mornar, so a possible victory for the home team would further complicate the title fight.
The duel will also be special for Sutjeska coach Milorad Peković, who is returning to the stadium where he wrote the club's history, winning the championship title with Dečić in the 2024/25 season.
"A very important game like any other, I don't think it will be decisive, because there is a lot to play for after that game, but we should definitely be guided by the fact that every next game is the most important for us. We will try to go out on the field, to give our maximum in a very difficult away game. I believe that the atmosphere and ambience will be a real football one and I think it is important for us to continue the streak we are in, to give our best, to show our quality and try to get the most out of it," said Peković.
The former Montenegrin national team player does not hide that he has fond memories of Decic.
"I have fond memories of my time in Dečić. I am grateful for the time I spent there. It is a good team with good work behind it and this is evident in their results in previous years. They are strong and disciplined, they have very good players who can always cause problems, but it is very important for us to believe that we have confidence and that we believe in our quality," concluded Peković.
Sutjeska defender Anto Babić, who returned to Nikšić this winter, is also optimistic.
"This is my home, my club, I played a lot of games in this league, I won the league title and the Cup with Sutjeska, God willing, the title this season. I left and came back, everything is like old times, I didn't need to adjust."
Babić believes that the derby can be important, but not decisive for the outcome of the championship race.
"There's still a lot to go, very important points, but if everything doesn't go right, we still have games to make up for it, we have a good winning streak, we're seven points behind the leaders. I don't think the game solves anything, but it's very important," the defender of the Nikšić team emphasized.
Both teams defended their home field this season. Dečić won 2:1, Sutjeska 3:1.
Duel in Bar: Buducnost plays away to Mornar
An interesting match is also expected at “Topolica”, where Mornar will host the current champion Budućnost. The two teams are separated by only four points, so it is clear that a possible triumph for the “blues” would further complicate the fight for Europe.
Budućnost coach Miodrag Grof Božović is aware of the quality of his rivals.
"Mornar is a good team that plays good football and has a couple of outstanding players like Denković, Zorić, Škrijelj and Sekulić. They have a good coach and it's clear that the team knows what they want. It won't be easy for us, but we have no choice but to go and play for the result," said Božović.
The upcoming duel will be special also due to the fact that for the first time, long-time collaborators Božović and Mornar coach Vesko Stešević will be on opposite sides.
"I don't think the two of us will decide, he's worked a lot on his own, a lot with me, of course I want a win in this duel, but in everything else I'm rooting for him," said Božović.
Mornar's fast-footed offensive player, Stefan Denković, is expecting an interesting duel.
"We are facing a very tough match. The future is a team that always fights for the trophy. The victory in Kotor means a lot to us after the setback in Bijelo Polje, especially since all competitors for a place in Europe celebrated in that round. I expect an interesting match that will show a lot about the direction the championship will take, although there is still a lot to play for," said Denković, who wore the Dečić jersey in the 2022/23 season.
Other round matches
In the remaining matches of the 25th round, last-placed Jedinstvo Franca welcomes Petrovac, while Mladost Lob.bet will play against Jezera at the FSCG Training Camp in a duel between teams from the middle of the table.
The Primorski derby will be played in Tivat, where Arsenal will host Bokelj SBBet, who together with Jedinstvo "hold the lantern".
SCHEDULE
Sailor – Future (2:00 p.m.)
Unity of Franc – Petrovac (2:30 p.m.)
Dečić – Sutjeska (3:00 p.m.)
Mladost Lob.Bet – Jezero (3:00 p.m.)
Arsenal – Bokelj SBBet (4:30 p.m.)
