“THAT’S HOW IT IS”: Piksi reveals why Vlahović and Milinković-Savić are absent, then responds to Rade Bogdanović! (VIDEO)

The Serbian national team’s manager explained why Dušan Vlahović and Sergej Milinković-Savić are not on the roster for the second round of the Nations League. Our center forward, regularly playing for Juventus on two fronts in Serie A and the Champions League, scoring goals, is absent from the Eagles after the European Championship, just like Al Hilal midfielder Milinković-Savić.

Before the matches against Switzerland (October 12) and Spain (October 15), the manager addressed the topic that interests the Serbian public. Regarding Vlahović, he stated that family reasons remain the reason for his absence from the Eagles, while Stojković explained SMS’s absence as a mutual decision due to psychological reasons. He also announced that both would be on the team in November.

“Their absence this time is a mutual agreement. Of course, we talked. With Vlahović, it remains the same – private, family problems. As he told me, the only time he can devote to that is during the national team break. I respect that. The public should know it’s neither the FSS’s problem, nor the national team’s, nor the manager’s. As for Sergej, I talked to him about it too. We mutually decided to skip this term. In November, he will be mentally ready to join. That’s all our agreement.”

Piksi commented on Rade Bogdanović’s accusation of being the reason for Vlahović’s absence.

“The statement in question… I respect everyone’s opinion. Whether I accept it or not is my business. I explained what it was about, and if something was unclear, call Dušan and ask him. If he says something different than I did, then that’s a problem. But you won’t get a different answer. We talked after Leipzig, and the day after that, we were also in contact. I congratulated him on the goals, and that’s it. I repeat, his absence here is obviously a severe problem, but I wouldn’t allow myself to interfere in anyone’s private matters, not even yours, and ask. There’s no problem as far as that’s concerned. He doesn’t want to play? It’s very easy to say something on the air that will have the effect it has, and that will resonate with the public, entertain people a bit, and be interesting. I respect that; that style of addressing is the way it is. I sit here with great responsibility. I address it, and I wouldn’t play with that. There is no problem with the Federation, the manager, or the national team as far as Vlahović is concerned. He is an important player, and we miss him. I told him that. He is someone who is needed by Serbia, and I expect him to join the national team very soon.

There are changes compared to the preliminary squad. Srđan Babić, Petar Ratkov, and Andrija Živković are absent, and Vanja Milinković-Savić and Ivan Ilić are questionable.

“Many teams have problems with players getting injured, not responding… Babić was on the list, but he won’t come. Before you write anything, first check what it’s about. He has a meniscus injury in his right knee; surgery is possible. Ratkov also has a thigh problem with six weeks off. Salzburg sent us a report. It’s absurd to harass someone to show some loyalty, and for almost two months, he won’t be able to play. Vanja is coming today, so we’ll see. He also has a meniscus problem. We will make a decision after further examination. As for Ilić, we will do additional analyses when he arrives. He has inflammation of the left Achilles tendon. He has been playing under injections for a longer time, feeling pain. We also received news about Andrija Živković. He had an MRI; we received a report that it was about knee pain. This opens the possibility of being released at this time. There is no need for him to come. It is difficult for him to walk, let alone run.”

One of the topics is the young Andrija Maksimović from Crvena Zvezda, who received his debut call-up.

I met him in Cyprus when he was at the U18 Euros; I asked people in the stands for the number of this and that and what his name was. They told me that it was Andrija Maksimović from Zvezda. I am familiar with him. I know who he is. He drew attention against Benfica, then the Eternal Derby, then Inter… What can I say that you don’t know? He has great potential and exceptional talent. He is 17 years old, but he acts very mature on the field. He also has a very nice nickname (Messi, ed. note). It depends on him. I had no doubt that I would put him on the list, although he is still a child. He has an open path for development. It will all depend on him. He has a great perspective; he is here. Whether he will debut as a starter or from the bench doesn’t matter. But he will definitely debut. I like such players who are technically good and have imagination and ideas. He has it all.

Young Mirko Topić from Famalicão is one of the options for the future.

Topić was with us in America; I know his qualities from Vojvodina. He was an option to be on the list, which doesn’t mean that if he isn’t now, he won’t be in November. The door is open to everyone. I am very familiar with their qualities.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK:

Serbia will host Switzerland in Leskovac on Saturday.

Switzerland has continuity. An exceptionally compact team, has all the qualities, technique, speed… Good players. A lot depends on Xhaka, Freuler is with him. Embolo, Abrashi, Akanji, Widmer… They are quality. We watched their match with Denmark, it’s about a strong rival who can cause a problem for anyone. I expect a difficult match but also to be up to the task in terms of fighting spirit and tactical ideas. We will try to get points.

Compared to the previous period, the Eagles now have a solid defense, but problems have appeared in the attack. How to level that out?

We worked well in the attack, but we had a problem in defense. And then it turned around. In defense, we look solid and good, but the realization is a problem. It was also the biggest problem at the European Championship. We will try; I can’t invent warm water and find strikers that don’t exist at that level. We hope to create chances and be dangerous, whether there will be goals, I don’t know. We also had Jović’s chance against Spain; we all saw the ball in the net, but it didn’t go in. But it’s important to create chances. We have to work on that to give players confidence early on. Scoring a goal is the hardest thing in football.

Matches with Switzerland in the past have also brought non-football things due to the numerous players of Albanian nationality in the Swiss team. Above all, there is Granit Xhaka.

I believe people know that past and provocations. I appeal for the match to be played in a fair-play manner, in the way teams should play, for the behavior from the stands to be at a high level, as well as the behavior of the players. Those things should be forgotten and focus on football and the game. I’m not afraid; everyone is aware that it’s completely absurd and unnecessary to any attempt at any kind of nonsense. He is a great player; he is aware of that. I respect him a lot; he has been a world-class player for many years. I think there will be no problems there.

Leskovac will once again host the national team, and one training session will be in Niš, Stojković’s hometown.

Looking at the schedule and timing, things have changed for the better this time. The Čair stadium is in excellent condition, and last time, it was a field where the national team could not hold a training session. We analyzed, looked at, and decided to have the last training session in Niš with the conditions that should exist. Our people were there, saw, and informed me that the last official training on the 11th will be done from 5:30 pm. I will have a press conference in Leskovac at 3:00 pm the same day. The conditions are absolutely acceptable; it’s one training session. I think it’s good that the national team appears in Niš at the stadium after a long, long time. It’s nice for people from that part of Serbia to see the national team in action. Last time, there were no conditions and no training.

Piksi also commented on the recent Eternal Derby in which Zvezda defeated Partizan with a convincing 4:0.

I’m not surprised. I was most interested in Andrija Maksimović. Reality is such. No one needs to be surprised. Zvezda’s victory was not in question. They are a much better team, the quality of the players is on their side. That’s the reality, as well as the fact that Inter beat Zvezda. That’s how it is when the quality is completely on the opponent’s side.

Can Serbia reach the Nations League quarterfinals after just one point from the first two matches?

There are still 12 points at stake. We will try to earn every point honestly, to fight for victory. What the outcome will be, I don’t know; it will be whatever we show on the field. Every match is important and significant, and it is difficult, but we are aware of the challenges. Whether we will reach those goals, and that is to see as many players as possible, there are many who are with us for the first time, to see a wider picture of the quality we have. In January, the World Cup qualifiers start, which are of exceptional importance for the national team and FSS. In the Nations League, we will try to get points, achieve our goals, and see what we can dispose of in the future.

There will be no additional calls to the national team despite numerous cancellations.

We have enough players; we won’t go into additional calls. Živković won’t be able to, he definitely won’t be able to, and as for Ivan Ilić, we’ll see what condition his Achilles tendon is in. We also have Spain after this. That doesn’t depend on me; that’s now in the hands of doctors, assessments, expert analyses, what that examination will show. As for them, we will make the decision, regardless of whether we will call players or not. We will have enough players to play these two matches.

In conclusion, Stojković sent a clear message.

We should be positive and take these things I’ve said as seriously and responsibly as possible on my part. It’s easiest to get involved in speculation; I know someone likes to see and read that. There are no boycotts, no other reasons than the ones I mentioned, especially for Vlahović. The situation is what it is, it’s obviously something serious, and I say I don’t want to go deep, for him to confess to me and talk about the details. Not just me, but any manager tomorrow. Privacy must remain in that domain. As Mitrović won’t come, boycott, he’s angry, and now here he is. What now? If we want unity, such things are not good. I know the truth; it doesn’t bother me, but people put themselves in a situation… This guy (Rade Bogdanović, ed. note) said he won’t come? I recommend someone call him and ask him.

It’s easiest to say this and that without any responsibility, factual situation. It’s easiest to say that which is not true. Those stories about boycotts they fall through; they have nothing to do with it. The players are the ones who decide to play for their country in the end and fight for the national team. The manager can never be a problem, but really never. In that case, some things have been clarified, as I said last month. November will come quickly; in a month, some things will be sorted out in terms of players who, as some say, don’t want to come. That’s what I wanted to tell you. I don’t like it when my players are injured when I face this information, but there are other players who are ready and can’t wait for their chance.