NATIONS LEAGUE | STRAHINJA PAVLOVIĆ, NEW STAR OF MILAN ABOUT SPAIN, NEW WAVE OF SERBIA, SERIE A AND ITALY AS THE PROMISED COUNTRY

Strahinja Pavlović, new defender of AC Milan, multiple title European champion, and the player who had a fantastic performance at the last European Championship in Germany spoke for the FA of Serbia website.

“We are together again; we have set goals and I am very happy to be with my teammates again, my friends from the national team”, admits Strahinja Pavlović.

It is a big challenge to play against the current champions of Europe at the very start of the new Nations League cycle:

“European Championship showed that they are currently the strongest national team and play the most beautiful football. It will certainly be interesting to play against the best.”

After returning from Germany, how much time did you have to see great edition of the Spanish team?

“I only watched them, to be honest, because after returning I didn’t have much motivation to watch the rest of the tournament. It was clear from the first match that they played the most beautiful football and that they came with the clear goal of winning the European Championship.”

How do you explain the phenomenon of Lamine Yamal, a guy who “just left the nursery” and is already a world football star?

“Gift from God, natural talent. Already in the first season in Barcelona, ​​he showed that he was an incredible talent, the following season he only improved himself and already at the age of 17 he became the champion of Europe.”

The fact that their rear midfielder, Rodri, was named the best player, shows that they were compact, well-coordinated and solid as a team, that they are very strong?

“Rodri is a fantastic player, they had a lot of ball possession all the time, were always very dangerous in the final third and looking for space. They “killed” every team with that possession.”

WE HAVE TO BE PERFECT

What can the football public in Serbia expect on Thursday, how to play against the powerful Spanish team?

“They can certainly expect a good match. It will not be easy at all, we must find our game, first of all we have to defend well, because we know that the Spanish like to hold the ball, change sides, look for space. In the defensive sense, we have to be perfect, and we have the quality to create chances and threaten them.”

What kind of response from fans can be expected, are there ticket inquiries?

“Friends and relatives have been calling, they all want to come and support the national team. I hope that the support will be great, we know that the public was not satisfied with our participation in the European Championship and the failure regarding our result. That is expected and justified on their part, but a new cycle is starting again, and we are to host the European champion. I think that is the motive for everyone, that it will be a good match, that people should come and watch.”

It is a big deal to be a part of the elite, Leage A of the Nations League, to play against the best in Europe and not against, relatively speaking, weaker teams.

“I agree, because in the previous period we did not have so many opportunities to play against the strongest European teams. The next matches will mean a lot to us, there are no easy matches, we do not enter them as favourites, on the contrary. This is a good opportunity for us to see how much we can do, there are a lot of new names on the list, it will be an opportunity for all of us to prove ourselves. There is a new format, two teams will qualify, the third will be in the playoffs, only the fourth is relegated to a lower league. Our first goal is to stay in the A League.”

MILAN IS A GREAT CLUB

The move to Milan caused great public reaction, it has been a long time since a defender arrived in Serie A with such fanfare.

“Yes, I was a bit surprised. Milan is a great club with great, long history. Everything is still unreal to me, I am still not aware of the level I have reached, when I turn around to see where I started from and how many difficulties I had when I left Partizan. I am very happy with how they accepted me and how everything is going on so far.”

It was a great start in the league, great match against Parma, and then a score in Rome against Lazio.

“I had to good matches; it is a pity we did not win. That first step is always important, and I am glad that I left a good impression and that the fans and football public in Italy accepted me in a fantastic way. I hope that it will be like that in the future and that we will celebrate in the first upcoming match. I would like for us to tie two or three wins, and we will be close to the top.”

They gave you the number 31, Jaap Stam used to wear it. It is something that places responsibility on you.

“I had that number in Salzburg, so I wanted it in Milan too. Yes, was associated with Stam, I said in an interview that we might have a similar hairstyle. He is such a legend, I will have to sweat a lot to be able to compare with him, but I certainly like that kind of attention.”

ITALIANS HAVE NOT SEEN THE BICYCLE KICK

Do the Italian media know that after the goal for Partizan against Vojvodina (in Niš), they called you “Serbian Van Basten”?

“Hahaha… I don’t know if they know, they didn’t mention it to me, probably they didn’t even see that goal. It is certainly the best goal in my career. Usually my goals are headers, against Jamaica I scored with my right foot and surprised myself (laughs), so the goal from Niš is still the best so far.”

Any impressions on Fonseca?

“We talked a lot, since it was the first time in my career that I did not go through the whole preparatory period. The whole transfer saga lasted for a very long time and after EURO I had three weeks off, so I practically had about ten days to prepare till the first match with Torino, which I did not even play in. He told me to just be patient, and I would quickly understand all the requests. We have had a very good relationship from the very beginning, he is a coach with many good ideas, and I hope we will manage to realize them all on the pitch. And to start winning, as well. We have a lot of new players, many of them took part in EURO, so the team is not coordinated yet.”

Do you remember his press conference, after Shakhtar’s win against City, when he appeared wearing a Zoro mask?

“No, I did not see that.”

The Italian media wrote about it. What would you be prepared to do if Milan won the Scudetto?

“Winning the Scudetto is something incredible, but if someone is willing to bet, maybe I will paint myself in red and black (laugh).”

THE DREAM OF WINNING THE SCUDETTO

Soon there will be matches with Inter, Napoli, Juventus…

“The league will be extremely interesting, it is important that we win those matches, practically our direct opponents, because there are many of them this season.”

In the interval of seven days there will be a derby with Inter and Crvena zvezda in the Champions League?

“It is in December. I like the new format of the Champions League; the group is interesting. It will be very interesting.”

It was a long time ago, but it is worth mentioning it, to remember again that Istanbul final, that famous match with Liverpool.

“I watched that match, later of course. Those are the matches that remain in everyone’s memory. There will be many challenges in the Champions League.”

How much did Luka and Okafor help you when you arrived in Milan?

“A lot. Luka welcomed me, Okafor was also there for me”, said Strahinja Pavlović, defender of Milan and the best team of Serbia.