After the winter break, the footballers of Sloboda from Mrkonjić Grad have resumed training, with the primary goal of securing their league status, stated coach Srđan Marjanović.
The team from the “Luke” stadium finished the first half of the season in 16th place with 16 points, placing them below the relegation line as the league will be reduced from 18 to 16 clubs next season.
- “At the first gathering, we had 20 players present, with one absent for valid reasons. During the winter break, six players left ‘Luke’: goalkeeper Dušan Travar, Dragan Mirković, two Japanese players Kira Yamamoto and Kaiki Sawasaka, and two Russian internationals Alexander Konjnikin and Anto Zakharov,” Marjanović noted.
New signings
Four new players have joined the team:
- Goalkeeper Arsenije Matijaš (from Borac Kozarska Dubica)
- Stefan Savić (Naprijed)
- Bojan Makarić (Zvijezda 09)
- Sergej Dojčinović (Kozara).
- “We have several players on trial, and I believe some of them will stay at ‘Luke.’ Right now, the most important thing is to have quality preparations with the players we have gathered. If we manage that, I believe survival will not be an issue,” Marjanović added.
Training and facilities
Preparations will take place entirely on the artificial turf of the “Luke” stadium.
- “We have excellent facilities and no need to go elsewhere. We can train even in the late afternoon or evening, as we have floodlights. Everything is in place; now, it’s up to us to train and hope for an injury-free preparation period,” Marjanović stated.
Friendly matches
Four friendly matches are planned:
- February 1: Against Ključ
- February 8: Against Sloga Trn
- February 15: Against Gorica from Šipovo
- February 22: General test against Kozara from Gradiška.
- “We could have scheduled more matches, but I believe four will be sufficient,” Marjanović concluded.
Club management changes
During the winter break, significant changes were made at the club. Danijel Stojičić was appointed as the new director. A new advisory team, consisting of former players Goran Marić, Saša Dedić, Radoslav Milekić, and Željko Kopuz, was formed to support management and players. Additionally, Draženko Nenad was appointed to handle administrative tasks, ensuring the club’s operational efficiency.
Source: Glas Srpske
