Stefan Mitrovic is the new member of Benfica!!!

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“My legs were shakin’ once i stepped on “La Luge” in Lisabon, and my hands were shaking that much, that I barely signed a contract with the famous Portugalian Rui Costa. I am currently living my dream”, says Stefan Mitrovic(23) in one breath, seventh Serb, that will play this year in the kit of Benfica.

“Alo! Sprint” practically packed Stefan, with his wife Kristina, on the road to Lisabon, where they will, with Matic brothers, Nemanja and Uros, Markovic – Lazar and Phillip, and also with Phillip Djuricic and Miralem Sulejmani; try to remove “the curse” of “eagles” from Lisabon, one of the team with the greatest tradition in the world, and to bring them the title of the Portugal champ, and maybe bring them one of the European trophies.

<<<Once we are at Benfica’s curse, do you believe in that there is some higher force that doesn’t let them thrill in the end?

- It is all a little bit strange, but me, like the most of Serbs, don’t believe in these witchcrafts. Maybe that is the reason why they gathered the seven of us, to remove these witchcrafts – laughed Mitrovic, that was visited by us on Zvezdara.

<<<Are you in contact with some of teammates in Benfica?

 - Phillip Djuricic and I have the same manager, Oliver Kabrera.He connected us right away and we saw each other. I also know Lazar Markovic, we played one against other  in Jelen Superliga. I feel myself a lot easier when I go to the club that already has my teammates.

<<<How did you react, when you heard the info that you will go to Benfica, and to whom did you tell the great news first?

- Only one year ago, when I was fighting to stay in Jelen Superliga, i couldn’t even imagine that I will with 23 years play for the team from Lisabon. You won’t believe, but with the captain of Kortrijk, Nebojsa Pavlovic, only few days before the deal with Portugals, I spoke that I would like to play one day in some club like Liverpool, Athletic Bilbao or Benfica, but “eagles” are my most popular. And so as happened. That is why I told first to Nebojsa, and to the team scout of Kortrijk, Ivica Jerakovic. They couldn’t believe too. Just as I, even today, believe me, I am not aware of everything, though whole job was finished even in april.

<<<Who found out first from your family?

- Father Ljubisa, brother Aleksa, godfather and conditioning coach – Nenad Planic, and wife’s parents Gaga and Voja. It was a shock for them too, but they were very happy because of me.

<<<Feeling sorry for Red Star Belgrade!

<<<Whose fan are you in Serbian soccer?

 - I am a huge “delija”. As a kid I passed youth cathegories of Red Star and only few days before that youth cathegory should sign professional contract, director of youth school was changed. Except of Mitar Mrkela, Zlatko Krmpotic came and released us all as non-talented. Road led me then to Rad, then Artmedia, Brno, Kortrijk and now to Benfica. I feel sorry cause I never wore a kit of Red Star, but who knows. Maybe this will came true – said Stefan and added that, of course, he hopes for the call of Serbian national team.

Red Star’s youthness in the first plan again

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After years of buying and loaning players, hard financial situation made Red Star to pay more attention onto the youth team, and the idea is to find there some reinforcements for the next season.

In Antalia, along with the first team members, arrived Nikola Karaklajic, Ognjen Ozegovic, Stefan Mihajlovic, Vukan Savicevic… And nobody of the Red Star’s fans didn’t even think that somebody of their “kids” will explode on the preparations. However, it occurred – especially with Vukan Savicevic and Stefan Mihajlovic.

Savicevic proved that he can be competition, shoulder by shoulder, for the place of offensive midfielder along with Kadu. He has a great game review, “soft” pass and excellent dribbling. Maybe coach Jankovic speaks the most about his possibilities, who said that Red Star was give a new “genius”, alluding on Vukan’s relative and namesake Dejan Savicevic. Though he is compared with the player of that callibre, modest guy from Belgrade says:

 - Of course that I am thrilled with these grades of coach Jankovic, but it is on me to prove and justify it with stronger and better work. Steady head is the most important, and staying on the ground.

And about the attack, that wasn’t efficient in the autumn, seems like there won’t be problems there. Young Stefan Mihajlovic is, with 5 goals, the top goalscorer on the preparations till now. He is good in ball guarding, he has an extraordinary movement, back play and hard shot. There were a lot of good comments for him too, however he also stayed modest and symphatized with the team after victory over Shan(8-0):

 - I am happy with what I achieved, but I am not carried away by goals versus teams like Shan and generally on preparations, cause their only role is to enable to deserve coach’s trust and minutes on the court. The team is the most important, and it functions in the proper way when the championship starts.

When everything is considered, seems like, along with foreign reinforcements and returnee Nikola Petkovic, the biggest discovery is the generation ’94, that, as we saw, carried huge talents of Serbian soccer. When we see these talented young players on the court, it is cleared that Serbia will not stay without quality players.

Jankovic for SPORTAL.RS : Savicevic is the architect of the Red Star’s gameplay

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From the Adriatic Sea for big results. FC Red Star finished the first phase of preparations for the second part of championship, in which they will have almost impossible mission, to decrease the difference of six points between Partizan, the leader of the championship. Coach Alexander Jankovic is satisfied with current form and done things till now.

We will play differently and, I hope, better and more efficient than last autumn. We will change the conception, and basic formation will be 4 – 2 – 3- 1. We will play faster, more aggressive. We accelerated our defensive line, and I hope that will bring better results.

You have problem with central backs?

On that position we count on Spajic, Petkovic and  Pantic, though Petkovic can also play on the position of the left back, and Pantic on the position of the right back. If we talk about gains on that position, this player should be a lot better than those we already have and to bring advantage. But…

What is the dilemma?

Every new player, if he comes, will be in remnant, cause we have already passed big part of preparations, so newbie will have very hard work to do to reach competition. Though, we didn’t give up from gains.

You have a lot of players on the position of defensive midfielder?

Here we have a very big choice of players. Among Milivojevic and Mijailovic, Milijas and Dimitrijevic are here, and newbie Garido, who should intrude himself. In any case, we will not have problems with midfielders.

Who will be given the role of playmaker, or main creator of the game?

Savicevic and Kadu are the main choice for that position. Young Vukan Savicevic heavily intrudes and there is a huge possibility that he will be given this role. He worked nicely and shows quality. Also, other players from youth team shown that it can be counted on them.

You invited Phillip Jankovic on the second part of preparations?

Phillip is a talented player and he will be given a chance to intrude through work and matches. Stefan Cikic goes to the tournament in Viareggio, and we will not lead him to Antalya.

How do you cooperate with new coaching staff?

Excellent. Zivkovic and Cepzanovic shew that they deserve their place in the first team. Everybody fit in nicely and we will be more prepared than last autumn.

Lukic: “Meraklije” were phenomenal even though we were losing

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Few days after the game with Partizan, Nikola Lukic speaks about the impressions, ambient, debut from the first minute and further plans of Radnicki Nis.

-          Well, it is sure that impressions were shrugged, I think that we could have player better. Partially I am satisfy with the first half, we played well, however in the second half we were broken by the second goal and we fel immediately and couldn’t parry Partizan Belgrade in any part of the game – said he with smile for own goal, that he was accussed for.

-          You made a debut versus Partizan since the first minute, how would you mark your game and how did you feel while you were playing in front of full “Cair”?

-          I am returning after a heavy injury, I nearly recovered. I played a little bit before match with Partizan due to injury, so this is my first match as a starter. I was excited and thrilled by “Meraklijas”, that left fenomenal impression on me, atmosphere was fantastic, though we were losing.

-          Do you know Sloboda Uzice and how do you look on their game?

-          I would like us to win every single game, but this is not possible in every match, but I still believe that we can make a good result in that match. They are very strong team, that plays offensive soccer, I see our chance there. We will try to play with them, we know to play good soccer, what was shown by us in previous matches. We have to make a good result and to gladden our fans, that deserved it by support they are giving to us. We entered the negative series, I think now it is the time to stop that.

-          However, Lukic sees his team among ten teams in Serbian first league.

-          I truthfully hope that we can enter among ten teams, that is our basic goal. I would like our team to be placed between seventh and tenth place, I think that is the most realistic option for us, and what will happen in second part of championship, it is about to be seen – finished Lukic.

Newspaper Sport, october 6th, Stefan Mitrovic

Mitrovic now 6^th

Serbian internationals Stefan Mitrovic and Nebojsa Pavlovic climbed, after victory over Standard Liege(2:1), on sixth place of Belgium League, which represents the target for the end of the season, in order to reach the play-off.

-          We wouldn’t, off course, be unhappy if we finish above the planned position – laughed Mitrovic, who did a great job the day before yesterday and was one of the best players of the very excited match.

You reached your points versus Standard hardly?

-          Not hardly, but too hard.

Explain?

- Everything started as we could only wish in the best dreams, Zukanovic scored a nice goal in 9^th minute from free kick, and we have had absolute control, but destiny wanted that Bosnian player has the main role in the end of the first half, too: he found himself on the goal line and defended our net with his hands. Red card, penalty, exclusion! Since that moment, till the last whistle of the referee, ball possession was convincingly on the side of Standard Liege, attack after attack, but it couldn’t be said that we were put into the foxhole and that our goal was non-stop in danger. Correct sentence is: offensive without any goal. What was left but to punish it in the proper way? How? From counterattack. Fantastic action, the best on the game, double pass, ball between Standard’s central defenders, which was accepted by Argentinian Chavarria, who came in Kortrijk on loan from Anderlecht. He dribbled the keeper and scored for 2:1 – concluded Stefan Mitrovic( former defender of Rad and Metalac from Gornji Milanovac).  

 Better financial situation

New contract in January

Mitrovic signed a contract last year with Kortrijk, and by rumors now, he could be led to better financial situation already in January.

 - With the obligation to stay for year or two more in club, which is not the problem – said Mitrovic.

Stefan Mitrovic for "Novosti"

Info about Stefan Mitrovic

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 “ In a very short period of time, I gained huge trust of the coach; fought for the place in the first team, and fans accepted me”, says pleasantly Stefan Mitrovic, young member of the Kortrijk.

Young Serbian soccer international player Stefan Mitrovic plays fantastic in the kit of Kortrijk(Belgium). Powerful central defender became first team member in a very short period of time, though coach announced that he will not change the team that ended last season. Kortrijk and fans enabled him wonderful welcome, that made adaptation process easier.

On the start of this year I played for Metalac from Gornji Milanovac, which was eliminated from Serbia Super League, and now I am in the first team of Kortrijk. Huge change and lots of new experiences. Good critics are pleasant for me, but I didn’t relax myself in any single moment, because I know that I have to progress a lot more.

According to the grades of first league coaches, Mitrovic was chosen for the player of last round. He scored a goal, that enabled him to gain huge trust of the fans, that started to like him very quickly after that goal, due to huge trying, tough playing style and brave entering into every action. That is why they placed Stefan’s photo on the team flag with top three players.

My dreams started to come true. I gained huge coach’s trust, fought for the place in the first team, and fans accepted me. I believe that good games will enable me soon the status of a national team member, and I will be very happy if I dress a jersey with Serbian anthem on it.

There are some indications that it will happen very soon.

I heard, and I was endlessly happy, that my games are followed by national team coach Alexander Jankovic. That is enough for me in this moment, cause it is extra motive for me. I will push harder and keep with good games, because I am sure that there are a lo of space for progression. I am on the right way, in good club, everything is dependant of my games how big my progress will be – stands tough Stefan Mitrovic, new member of Kortrijk.

Newspaper "Alo!" , Stefan Mitrovic

Info about Stefan Mitrovic

Link to Serbian and newspaper article

Stefan Mitrovic, age 22, Kortrijk

"Eagles can beat Belgium national team!"

Though Serbian national team, after premier match with Scotland(0:0) in Euro 2014 Qualifications,  expects Wales in Tuesday, every advice about other group rivals can be useful. Belgium is seen by many people as the main team that alters for first place, and "inside" view of this national team will be presented by Kortrijk's player Stefan Mitrovic.

 - Powerful central defender played in 2011 for Metalac from Gornji Milanovac, and became in a very short period of time first central defender in Kortrijk. And huge award  suddenly appeared from nowhere - he was vouted for the best player of 5th round.

 - Did you spend enough time in Belgium to give us more precise picture about their national team?

- Positive atmosphere around their national team is felt over the whole Belgium. They have excellent national team and many players that play in Europe's best leagues, they are full of self-confidence and they are sure that they can make excellent result.  Independant of everything, I think we can win, I believe in Serbia national team, and I will be in the stadium to support them next year in June.

 - What is the difference between Serbian and Belgium League?

 - Huge. Organization is on the highest level, attention is payed here on every single detail. and stadiums are always full, which is extra motivation for every player.

 - Who was preparing you for international leagues?

 - My condition is watched by my long-time coach and godfather Nenad Planic. He PhD'd on the Faculty of sports and physical education and, cause of his huge commitment to the job, many of our famous athletes decided to be trained by Nenad.  I think that I am mentally mature for all challenges in Europe. Of course, I owe huge gratitude to my family, whose advices and support enabled me to create a result.

 - Why Belgium?

Ivica Jarakovic, scout of the club, helped me a lot. He is one of the most credited people for my coming here, and team captain Nebojsa Pavlovic. For him I only have words of gratitude - he is top soccer player, and, most important of all, a great man. I am here with my wife, and that is very significant in the process of adaptation.