The Falcons trained at the Old Airport, and coach Mirko Vučinić spoke to reporters before taking to the field. The Reds' strategist said that the matches against Andorra and Slovenia would be a good opportunity to test out all the invited players (eight substitutions will be allowed).
-First of all, these matches will serve to test all the players, that's been the idea from the beginning. Now especially to see those who have played less, to show how much they can do and what they can do – said Mirko Vučinić.
Sead Hakšabanović is back in the national team after three years.
-I don't know him well enough, that's why I invited him. We talked and he wants to come to the reunion. We'll see what he can offer us - he certainly has quality. What I've emphasized from day one is that everyone should take responsibility, that's what I ask of everyone, including him. Whether it's a striker, defender or midfielder, whatever his status in the national team... Hakšabanović can decide a game with one move, and his audacity on the field, towards his opponent and teammates, is also important.
Juventus midfielder Vasilije Adžić is not on the list.
-He is not here not only because he does not play for Juventus, but also because his qualities are not in doubt. Everyone knows them. He is missing matches, he was called up to the youth national team, for which he will play two matches that will mean a lot to him. His future is not in question, and at the moment he would play maybe 45 minutes – I do not know if that would be enough for him. I was looking to help him, although he must be hurting not to be called up. I have now called up a large number of players, from some of them I want to see how much they can offer us, and I know that very well about Adžić. He has played so far, as far as his quality is concerned – there is nothing questionable about that – Vučinić emphasized.
The "Falcons" coach had a message for Adžić, mentioning the example of Nikola Krstović in Atalanta.
-Krstović started well in Atalanta, then he was nowhere to be found, but he continued to work and think in the right way. That came back to him. He accepted the coach's decisions, didn't give up and is now one of Atalanta's key players.
The matches with Andorra and Slovenia are important, even though they are friendly matches.
– Since I took over as coach, I have been saying that there are no easy games. This is our first time playing against Andorra and I cannot say that the result is not important. We need to build a winning mentality, to live for triumphs, but this gathering should have another purpose. We will try to get everyone to play. We have a plan for both matches, we will try to implement it. No matter how much will and desire there is, they must not be missed, even though they are friendly matches.
Montenegro will be competing in the Nations League C this fall, and this competition is a route to the play-offs for the European Championship.
-We're taking it step by step. We should only think about the next game, and when the time comes we'll turn to the Nations League. Whether the group is good or not – it doesn't matter. We'll look for our chance.
Finally, coach Vučinić also reflected on the recently completed World Cup qualifiers.
-What was missing in the qualifiers? Points... Most are satisfied with how we played against Croatia, but we remember that we lost and that's what we need to know - the result is the most important, everything else is forgotten. The defeat against Croatia hurt me personally, I told the players that, and I see that it hurt them too and that we have the desire to continue doing the best they can - Mirko Vučinić said at the end.
