FRANCE 98 – Yugoslavia – D. Savicevic: “We've never had any problems in the national team and there will never be any”

Yugoslavia – D. Savicevic: “We’ve never had any problems in the national team and there will never be any”

16.06.98 21h39 CET

News from Saint-Galmier (near SAINT-ETIENNE), Tuesday 16 June.

Perica OGNJENOVIC (21):

“At just 20, I’m experiencing something magic. As for taking part in the match on Sunday 21 June against GERMANY, it’s simply up to Slobodan SANTRAC to decide whether to let me play or keep me as a “joker”. I’d prefer to play as second centre forward.”

Dejan SAVICEVIC (8):

“All the Yugoslav press are talking about the problems that exist between the Serb players and those from Montenegro. It’s rubbish, pure imagination. Without exception, all the players get on fantastically well together. We’ve never had any problems in the national team and there will never be any. I’m very disappointed that I can’t play but I’m injured so what more can I say?”

Vujadin BOSKOV, executive committee member for the Yugoslav federation.

“There is absolutely no problem whatsoever with Dejan SAVICEVIC (8). Dejan is fit, he hasn’t been ill, but he hasn’t played for two months and this is really why he isn’t here. For the next match on Sunday 21 June, we’ve got more than enough time to get him fit (the Yugoslav midfielder is still suffering from a pulled thigh muscle). He is getting fitter every day. On Friday 19 June, we will decide whether he can play or not, but it’s obvious that if the match against GERMANY was on this Tuesday he wouldn’t be ready. To be on top form for this encounter, our players will have to keep up the training programme they have been on since the beginning of the competition. On the other hand, they need to be better prepared mentally “.