Luka Juričić is currently the top scorer of the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina with nine goals. The Borac Banja Luka striker is enjoying perhaps the best period of his career.
“With Borac, I want to win the double crown,” Juričić told RTRS.
After years marked by serious injuries and long breaks, Juričić can finally breathe easy. With nine goals and two assists, Borac’s forward has been one of the standout players of the season so far. He scored twice against Rudar, Sarajevo, and Široki Brijeg, and once each against Posušje, Radnik, and Velež.
“My job is to score goals, in any way possible. It doesn’t matter how — as long as the ball crosses the line. The whole team has great individual quality. My task is to wait for chances and turn those balls inside the box into goals. I’m happy at Borac — we’re first on the table, I’m the league’s top scorer, and that says it all. I just hope this continues and that we win both the league and the Cup,” said Juričić.
With 30 goals scored, Borac is by far the most efficient team in the league — Sarajevo has scored half as many, and Zrinjski only 13. It’s no surprise that four Borac players top the scoring chart: Juričić with nine goals, Vuković with six, Savić with five, and Hrelja with four.
“Our play is based on attack — we create a lot of chances and constantly get into the opponent’s box. So, it’s not surprising that four of us are among the top scorers. That probably makes our coach happiest (laughs). Thank God, we have two excellent full-backs, Herrera and Kvržić, who deliver a lot of crosses, plus wingers Hrelja and Vuković. Savić and Jojić are also great at through balls. We have real depth — every position is covered by two or three experienced players,” Juričić emphasized.
Juričić arrived in Banja Luka from CFR Cluj in Romania, where injuries prevented him from showing his full potential. He had previously played in the Premier League for Željezničar and Široki Brijeg, so adapting to Borac was easy.
“From day one, everything went great. I arrived right before the first match against Rudar and scored twice. The club, coach, fans, and teammates welcomed me warmly. Of course, you have to prove yourself with hard work and professionalism. I’ve been the first-choice striker under both coaches this season, which shows I’ve earned my place — and I’ve repaid that trust with goals,” said Juričić.
Asked what he focuses on most in training, Juričić replied:
“We create a lot of chances, and my job is to finish them. There’s no big philosophy — that’s what I focus on most during training. I also have defensive duties — there’s a lot of running and pressing involved. The whole team responds well to coach Marinović’s demands.”
Many believe Juričić could have achieved even more in his career had it not been for injuries. He tore his ACL four times, spending nearly five years off the pitch.
“I value every second I spend on the field. Considering how much time I lost to injuries, just being healthy makes me happiest. Playing almost full matches, scoring nine goals, and assisting twice — I can only be grateful. I truly enjoy every moment now, especially when I remember everything I’ve gone through,” he said.
Born in Čitluk, Juričić followed in the footsteps of his father, Nikola, who also played as a center-forward for Brotnjo and Široki Brijeg. Luka began his football journey at Brotnjo before joining the youth ranks of Zrinjski, Borac’s next league opponent. The match will be played in Mostar on Monday.
“Zrinjski is, in my opinion, our main and only real rival for the title — no offense to others. We respect them, but our goal is clear: we’re going to Mostar to win. The match could be decisive, but not necessarily — there’s still a lot of football left. Their key player is Nemanja Bilbija, the league’s all-time top scorer, but they’re a quality team with a great coach,” Juričić said.
Borac will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, and everyone at the club shares the same dream — winning the double crown. Juričić says his ambitions align perfectly with the club’s.
“When I arrived, the goal was clear — to win both the league and the Cup. So far, we’re on the right track. I hope we won’t hit a rough patch during the season — that can happen — but I believe we’ll avoid it and lift both trophies,” he said.
Čitluk and FK Brotnjo have produced several great players, including Predrag Jurić, a former Yugoslav national team player; Vladimir Vasilj, the goalkeeper who won bronze with Croatia at the 1998 World Cup in France; and Mateo Sušić, currently playing for Zrinjski. Those who have followed Brotnjo for years say that Luka Juričić’s greatest strengths — height, heading ability, perseverance, and determination — are exactly what once defined his father.
After his brilliant start to the season in “Platonova,” many believe Luka Juričić could go on to achieve the most successful career among all footballers born in Čitluk.
“Our youngest player, Matej Deket, is an incredible talent — just 16 years old and already training with the first team. He has huge potential. I’d also highlight Berbić, Vuković, and Jurkas — all young but extremely talented players,” Juričić added.
Source: RTRS
