Klemente: "Borbeno do pobede"

Havijer Klemente nalazi se pred novim velikim ispitom. Reprezentacija Srbije je posle meča sa Jermenijom ostala sa samo 16 igrača. Postojala je mogućnost da se u tim pozovu zamene za Stepanova i Stankovića, ali to nije urađeno. Selektor smatra da će i tako moći da se suprotstavi ekipi Azerbejdžana. "Imamo dovoljno igrača, ali to je prilika da mladi igrači dokažu svoj potencijal, to su igrači koji imaju svetlu budućnost pred sobom. Njihova mladost i želja za pobedom su naše najjače oružje" rekao je Klemente.

Našem timu treba pobeda ali selektor nije siguran da će tako i biti.

"Ne mogu da obećam da ćemo pobediti, pošto ima mnogo oscilacija u igri ali siguran sam da će borbenost naših igrača doneti rezultat. Ovi igrači su najbolje što imamo", rekao je Španac.

Kapitensku traku nosiće Igor Duljaj, koji će u startnoj postavi zameniti najverovatnije Nenada Kovačevića. Meču u Bakuu prisustvovaće i Mišel Platini, koji je došao na otvaranje azerbejdžanske kuće fudbala.

Tadašnja selekcija Jugoslavije igrala je sa Azerbejdžanom u kvalifikacijama za EP. Selekcija koju je predvodio selektor Dejan Savićević iz dvomeča sa tom ekipom izvukla je samo jedan bod.

Zoran Mirković preneo je utiske sa meča odigranog 2003. godine, posle koje je prestao da igra za nacionalni tim.

"Imamo mlad tim na kojem je veliki teret. Ja nikada neću zaboraviti taj meč i nikome ne bih poželeo tu tugu koju sam ja osećao. Na borbenost treba odgovoriti borbenošću", rekao je Mirković.

Klemente je sa Jermenijom igrao sa dva napadača, iako je tvrdio da mi bolje igramo sa jednim.

"Pošto nemam Stankovića, moraću da menjam taktiku, ali ću tek posle treninga odlučiti ko će igrati", rekao je Klemente.

Meč u Bakuu igra se u sredu od 17 časova po našem vremenu.

Deki je CAR!!!! Najstandardniji u ekipi. Istina je da losije igra za reprezentaciju ne go u Interu (verovatno su problem saigraci) al se uvek odazove selektoru iako mu to nije u licnom interesu (ne mora da se proda jer vec sad vredi ko cela reprezentacija ukupno, sa Klementeom).

Mislim, kakve su nebuloze u pitanju?? Tko ja kapetan?? 

Klemente: Ni poraz nije katastrofa
Utorak, 16. oktobar 2007. 15:40

Selektor fudbalske reprezentacije Srbije Havijer Klemente izjavio je uoči utakmice u kvalifikacijama za Evropsko prvenstvo protiv Azerbejdžana da ni poraz ne bi bio katastrofa, pod uslovom da fudbaleri ispune njegov plan i postavljene zahteve.

Klemente je na konferenciji za novinare rekao da niko ne sme da zaboravi gde je mesto državnog tima Srbije na evropskoj mapi, jer ako se to ne zna, onda se ne može dobiti prava slika o vrednosti našeg fudbala.

"Ne smatram da bi bila katastrofa ako izgubimo, jer kao iskusan trener znam da jedan poraz ne znači ništa ako se radi na duge staze. Mnogo važnije od toga je kakav prilaz imaju fudbaleri i da li ispunjavaju dogovore iz svlačionice", smatra Klemente.

I u ovim teškim trenucima za naš fudbal Klemente je naizgled zadržao prisebnost i na perspektivu našeg najpopularnijeg sporta gleda kroz drugačiju prizmu nego navijači.

"Teško je praviti novu reprezentaciju, podmladjivati tim i istovremeno tražiti vrhunske rezultate. To u fudbalu nikada nije išlo jedno sa drugim", uveren je Klemente.

On je ipak demantovao pisanje pojedinih srpskih medija da je u Srbiju došao samo da napravi perspektivan tim, a da su rezultati u drugom planu.

"Takav dogovor nikada ni sa kim nisam pravio. Prirodno je da želim, kao i svi ostali u Srbiji, da reprezentacija igra na prvenstvu Evrope, a spekulacije javnosti ne želim, niti mogu da sprečim", rekao je Klemente.

Iskusni španski stručnjak je u susretu sa predstavnicima medija demantovao glasine da će posle meča sa Azerbejdžanom napustiti kormilo srpskog državnog tima. Klemente ne zna za tu informaciju, ali je uveren da sutrašnji meč neće biti njegov oproštaj od "orlova".

"Ne znam ni jednu reprezentaciju na svetu koja uspešno može da igra bez petorice standardnih igrača. To su činjenice o kojima se u Srbiji malo govori, ali mnogo utiču na našu igru", rekao je Klemente.

Posle napuštanja državnog tima kapitena Dejana Stankovića, Klemente još uvek ne zna ko će poneti kapitensku traku, jer medju prisutnim fudbalerima u Azerbejdžanu nema ni njegovih zamenika - Mladena Krstajića, Ivice Dragutinovića i Nemanje Vidića.

"Ne znam ko bi od ovih igrača mogao da bude vodja. To ćemo rešiti do utakmice posle razgovora sa rukovodstvom Saveza", rekao je Klemente.

U desetkovanom timu Srbije najiskusniji reprezentativac je Igor Duljaj, koji bi u sredu, ako mu Klemente ukaže poverenje, igrao 50. meč u državnom dresu. Ovom zahvalnom fudbaleru Klemente, medjutim, već nekoliko utakmica ne ukazuje poverenje i očito je da se nalazi u drugom planu.

Na pitanje može li da napravi razliku izmedju Jermenije i Azerbejdžana, Klemente je rekao:

"Oba tima su teška na svoj način. Jermenija igra brzo i jednostavno, dok Azerbejdžan vrši veći pritisak na rivala i u skladu s tim ćemo i napraviti taktiku".

Reprezentacija Srbije će u utorak uveče imati poslednji trening pred nastup, posle koga će Klemente otkloniti sve nedoumice oko sastava tima. Njegov manevarski prostor, istina, nije veliki, pogotovo u zadnjem redu u kome ima samo četvoricu fudbalera.

Više prostora za kombinovanje imaće u veznom redu i napadu, a pogotovo će biti interesantno koga će Klemente postaviti u špicu - nespremnog Nikolu Žigića ili Marka Pantelića, koji još ni jednom u ovim kvalifikacijama nije postigao gol, a nastupio je na deset utakmica.

Susret izmedju Azerbejdžana i Srbije igra se u sredu od 18 sati po našem vremenu na stadionu "Tofik Bahranov", a meč će suditi Tomas Ainvaler iz Austrije.

Last year’s Serie B champions are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements after Jorge Andrade broke his kneecap and was virtually ruled our for the rest of the season.  

Although his two replacements Giorgio Chiellini and Nicola Legrottaglie have since performed admirably, Coach Claudio Ranieri still wishes to sign at least one centre back during the January transfer window.  

Ivanovic is reportedly close to signing a new contract with his club-side until 2011, however a clause has been inserted that will allow him to leave if a bid of €15m is made.  

Italian newspaper Tuttosport is claiming that Juventus are ready to offer 10m right away and that the Russian club may deem this as acceptable.  

Ivanovic has already revealed that he would be interested in joining the Bianconeri. When told of their interest in him last month, the 23-year-old responded, “Juve are observing me? This makes me very proud. To know that a great, prestigious club want to sign me fills me with joy.”

Azerbaijanis Relish A Rerun Of Famed Victory

The visit of Serbia shall stir more than the usual range of interest in Azerbaijan tomorrow: this fixture evokes proud memories of what is possibly the home side's greatest triumph in recent times.

On June 11, 2003, Azerbaijan sent small shockwaves throughout Europe as they came back from being a goal down against what was then Serbia & Montenegro to win the tie 2-1 courtesy of two late, late goals in a Euro 2004 qualifier.

The result raised eyebrows in the football community and it even forced the resignation of then Serbia & Montenegro coach, but mere trifles such as these paled in comparison to the jubilation that was sparked across Azerbaijan.

It was truly a result to savour, but it wasn't even the first. Azerbaijan recorded what was arguably an even better result four months prior as they travelled to Serbia & Montenegro and held the home side to a 2-2 draw to earn their point in five qualifiers.

With such delicious memories flooding back into the national consciousness, the pressure is on for the current Azerbaijani players to repeat past heroics.

Whether they wilt under the pressure or rise to another grand occasion remains to be seen, but for once the nation expects and dreams in almost equal measure.

A Hope Far, Far Away…

Mathematically-speaking, Serbia can still qualify from Group A. Although they lie uncomfortably in fourth position, looking rather enviously as Poland, Portugal and Finland battle it out to on the road to Austria and Switzerland, they do still possess the slimmest of chances of making it through to Euro 2008.

A sobering 0-0 result in Armenia last weekend did little to aid their cause, yet if an unlikely set of results occur in their favour, then the Serbians might just be celebrating come the end of the qualification rounds.

Of course that does mean that Poland, Portugal and Finland need to draw against each other and lose to the smaller teams below them (i.e. Portugal will need to lose away to Kazakhstan and home to Armenia), whilst Serbia have to win every game, including a potential decider with Poland in November.

But stranger things have happened. So long as qualification remains possible, Serbia have to go to Azerbaijan in the right frame of mind to get the three points rather than try to force a major result to avenge their past humiliation at the hands of the hosts.

After all, gung-ho attacking from Serbia could, in fact, benefit the home side. They seem to have a natural ability to soak-up pressure and counter-attack one the opposition are tired and weak. Serbia must avoid another humiliation at all costs.

…And Just For The Record.

Some wonder why national teams such as Azerbaijan's are even allowed in the competition. Lying bottom of Group A with their qualification hopes for Euro 2008 realistically ended before they even started, could lead one to question what exactly they are doing there.

There are many in and outside the football community that argue over this very point, with one side claiming that 5-0 hammerings of such teams does nothing for the losing team, the opposition or the competition as a whole, and the other side maintaining that such countries have a right to compete and that their progress, whilst gradual, is nonetheless necessary.

The latter camp may be onto something. A cursory glance at Azerbaijan's record over the years reveals that labelling them ‘whipping boys’ of a group as soon as their name is pulled out of the hat does not do them justice.

Although they face the same problems playing away from home as other small, developing states, that is no reason to disregard their increasingly encouraging home form.

During qualification for the 2006 World Cup, Azerbaijan managed to hold Austria, Wales and Northern Ireland to draws at home, and lost only narrowly to England a couple of years earlier by one goal to nil.

Around the same time as the England result, they pulled off the aforementioned impressive 2-2 scoreline away to Serbia & Montenegro and the 2-1 win in the reverse fixture.

Glenn Hoddle, a man who doesn’t mind looking back in history (even through a crystal ball if need be), recently reminded his contemporaries whilst in the midst of such a debate, that Turkey were the ‘whipping boys’ in the late 70’s and early 80’s.

Indeed, the Crescent-Stars once suffered regular 7-0 trouncings. That seems hard to believe now: they are considered as a major European footballing nation and a difficult team to beat home or away. A 3rd place finish in the World Cup of 2002 seemed to cement their status as a top-tier footballing country.

Where can Azerbaijan be in 2020? Who knows, but surely the key is to allow them the time now to dictate their own progress and destination in the future.

FORM GUIDE:

Azerbaijan

13/10 (Home) Portugal (ECQ) Lost 0-2
12/09 (Away) Armenia (ECQ) Cancelled
08/09 (Home) Armenia (ECQ) Cancelled
06/06 (Away) Kazakhstan (ECQ) Drew 1-1
02/06 (Home) Poland (ECQ) Lost 1-3

Serbia

13/10 (Away) Armenia (ECQ) Drew 0-0
12/09 (Away) Portugal (ECQ) Drew 1-1
08/09 (Home) Finland (ECQ) Drew 0-0
22/08 (Away) Belgium (ECQ) Lost 3-2
02/06 (Away) Finland (ECQ) Won 0-2

TEAM NEWS:

Azerbaijan

Coach Shakhin Diniyev has declined the choice to acquire players from outside the national borders, instead decreeing he will go with players he sees on a regular week-in, week-out basis at home.

It can't have been an easy decision. As many players have their roots in the divided regions of post-Soviet Union, a thorough search would undoubtedly throw up many possible footballers that would qualify to represent Azerbaijan.

However, it seemed prudent to select domestically-based players, for to bring in "ringers" would dent Azeri pride severely: considering the past border disputes and fights for independence, that's perhaps not ideal.

However there are some newly-nationalised players, mainly in positions that the Azeri’s have found nigh-on impossible to fill with quality or quantity. Such a player is Branimir Subašić, who rather controversially hails from Serbia and has been branded rather half-heartedly a “traitor” in his home country.

Yet the striker maintains he plays for the Azeri’s with dignity and pride and will he set on scoring to win the game for his adopted team. (Though he does admit that he may not show his face in Serbia “for a year” if he were to score against them.)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Farkhad Veliyev (FK Karabakh), Jahangir Hasanzade (FC Inter Baku).

Defenders: Aslan Kerimov (FK Karabakh), Ramin Guliyev (PFC Neftchi), Samir Abbasov (FC Inter Baku), Zaur Gashimov (FK Khazar Lenkoran), Sasha Junusogli (Groclin Grodzisk Wielkopolski).

Midfielders: Aleksandr Chertoganov (PFC Neftchi), Ramazan Abbasov (PFC Neftchi), Elmar Bakhshiev (FK Khazar Lenkoran), Dzeykhun Sultanov (FK Khazar Lenkoran), Emin Guliyev (FK Khazar Lenkoran), Alim Gurbanov (FK Khazar Lenkoran), Emin Imamaliev (FC Inter Baku), Ilgar Gurbanov (Sivasspor).

Forwards: Samir Aliyev (PFC Neftchi), Branimir Subašić (PFC Neftchi), Khagani Mamedov (FC Inter Baku), Farrukh Ismaylov (FK Olimpik Baku).

Serbia

Coach Javier Clemente has a defensive headache to remedy before tomorrow. Key defenders Mladen Krstajić (also vice-captain) and Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic had to withdraw from the squad through injury, while fullback Ivica Dragutinović remains suspended following his red card received against Poland.

The replacements, such as Milan Biševac, are decent, but do not offer the crucial stability required in international football. The loss of their regular defence has hit them hard at both ends, as Armenia looked the more likely to score on Saturday while the White Eagles' attack lacked punch, probably due to the fear of deadly counter-attacks.

Although qualification is still possible, it seems that Clemente may only half-believe that it could happen, for his squad names seven players from the U-21 group that reached the final of the Euro U-21 Championships last summer.

Such a move has been translated in Serbia as Clemente wanting the youngsters to gain vital senior experience now that there is 'nothing' to play for.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Bojan Šaranov (FK Bežanija), Nenad Filipović (FK Banat Zrenjanin).

Defenders: Nikola Petković (Gençlerbirliği SK), Marko Jovanović (FK Partizan), Nebojša Skopljak (OFK Beograd), Ljuba Baranin (FK Bežanija), Nenad Tomović (FK Rad), Gojko Kačar (FK Vojvodina), Slobodan Rajković (PSV Eindhoven).  

Midfielders: Ivan Radovanović (FK Smederevo), Vladimir Bogdanović (FK Crvena Zvezda), Nebojša Marinković (Iraklis FC), Predrag Pavlović (FK Napredak), Ljubomir Fejsa (FK Hajduk Kula), Stefan Babović (OFK Beograd), Nikola Gulan (FK Partizan), Dušan Tadić (FK Vojvodina), Miralem Sulejmani (SC Hereenveen).  

Forwards: Filip Djordjević (FK Crvena Zvezda), Andrija Kaludjerović (OFK Beograd).

PREDICTION: Logic would suggest that players such as Inter Milan’s Dejan Stankovic would show too much class for the Azeris to contend with, leaving a win for the Serbians the only realistic result.

However I am going to stick my neck out to suggest that history shall repeat itself and that the plucky Azeri’s shall prevail with a narrow margin f victory.

Either way, I feel the Serbians do not truly believe that they can pull off a miracle and qualify from their group, and thus with their heads down already I think they will be stunned with an early goal from which they shan’t recover.

Azerbaijan 1-0 Serbia

Anthony Singh

Zašto Stanković ne igra? Azerbađanci su vaša Andora ako se na varam najgora momčad u grupi to se već mora pobijediti, tj ne mora ali bilo bi poželjno.