The coach of Vojvodina FC, Miroslav Tanjga and the attacker Yusuf Bamidele are certain that the team will present themselves in the right way at the upcoming match against Partizan.

Players of the Old Lady are playing against the team of Partizan FC in the last round of Mozzart Bet Super League, and a draw is enough to secure the placement to Europe.

  • So far, we got used to each next game being more important than the previous one, but know we truly reached the most important match. We have to present ourselves in the best light, because this match means Europe, and we don’t want to look at other results and depend on them. Players know that as well, because we had a few meetings since the Cup finale, and everyone has their vision of the game, and we are aware that we could have played much better. I think that against Partizan we can play, and win. I hope for a good game, that the team will be focused, because we are playing for the salvation of the season. Like some clubs from these regions, like Borac Banja Luka and TSC, without the intention to diminish their reputation played Europe, so can we and we should expect that and strive towards it. We had plenty of mishaps, we lost many games that had been ‘won’ in advance, and now maybe everything will turn, and we could manage to reach the group stage of the Conference League. However, luck never comes on its own. We need to deserve that luck, we have to fight for the good result in Humska, and then we can expect to have some luck at the draw and everything else in Europe, and we all know what a fall in Europe would mean for Novi Sad and our club. The boys should wake up and go to sleep with that thought, we need to have a united front on the pitch, and bring that Europe to Novi Sad – Tanjga said.

Yusuf Bamidele is also optimistic before the match against Partizan FC.

  • We are all ready and we are aware of the significance of this match. We want to secure placement to Europe, we will give our all and we hope for the victory against Partizan – Bamidele said.

Miroslav Tanjga once again addressed the defeat in the Cup finale, but he underlined that the deal is for them not to think about that match, and focus only on the result in Humska.

  • We knew who the opponent was, but if you are a sportsperson, you always hope that you will have the strength and the conditions to give your everything, and show what you can do. I cannot diminish the performance of the Red star, they deserved to win. We had a meeting after the game, and after this match we have to take a look in the mirror, because things didn’t go the way we planned and talked about, one part did, but the other one didn’t. Still, that is in the past now, and you cannot live in the past. We will no longer talk about the Red star, we cannot profit from that, we can only learn from some mistakes and correct them. We received the first goal identically like we did in Novi Sad. We fell from some 70 meters from the goal, and we never do that. And that was the issue, we make one mistake and we get punished for it. Unfortunately, that’s how it was, but if you are strong mentally, you have to get up like a true professional and look forward, and get to that place where we wanted to be at the beginning of the season. That would be our peak after everything that happened. It is not the same to go rest after securing Europe, and to go and rest without that. Heart on the pitch, we have to give our all and I know that we can do that. In the play-offs we have the advantage when it comes to points, and we should confirm that and that will be a reward for us. By winning we would remain in the third place, and that is what we hoped for and what we wished for at the start of the season – Tanjga underlined.

He also answered the question about his decision to accept the offer and remain the head of staff of Vojvodina FC.

  • When I arrived and when I finished my career in Italy, I said that I would never wear the tracksuit and football boots again, and during my first interview I said that you should never say never, and it happened. After all the conversations with the president and the members of the Management board, some pieces fell into place. The club has perspective, each day it’s moving forward, and it is normal for me to want to be a part of that. The club judged that I can help from this position, and I should now take the responsibility and continue to do so. The moment I stop doing that, when the results are not good, I will be the first to admit that someone else should replace me. We agreed very quickly – Tanjga revealed.

Even though the point in the away game secures the placement to Europe, Tanjga underlines that his time won’t play for the draw.

  • It is stupid to talk about going there to draw, we are playing for the result. We certainly won’t play for the draw, but for the victory. Everything will depend from the performance, how things play out. Our attitude is clear, we want to go for the win, and not rush and receive six goals, and score seven. We have our system of game, which we should respect. Much depends on the players and we will see how the thing will turn out. We should go and play for the victory. If we start defending ourselves from the first minute, then we will lose – Tanjga said.

Sichenje is out of protocol due to his red card, and Savićević and Tanjga are under a question mark.

  • We have a red card, Siniša is not in the protocol, Savićević is injured, but he will try to be on the bench. Siniša had a surgery, and everyone else is available. This will be our third match in seven days, there will be tired players, but that won’t be the reason we shouldn’t count on someone – Tanjga said.

In the end, Tanjga answered the question about whether the placement to Europe will influence the stay of Bamidele and other key players.

  • I think that it will mean a lot, because if we qualify, then we will also strive towards that. When we see who played the Conference League, there shouldn’t be a reason for us not to believe that we can do it. Again, we cannot succeed in doing that if we sell our best players, even though we had done that already, but we know that the transfer period doesn’t last long. I personally am against that, but it will all depend on the offers – Tanjga said.

Bamidele also confirmed that he was not thinking about leaving.

  • I have a contract until 2027, and I want to respect that, as far as I am concerned, I will remain here – Bamidele concluded.

The match between Partizan and Vojvodina is scheduled for Sunday at 7 pm with a live broadcast at Arena Premium 3 and RTV 1.