Picking up where they left off at the end of last season, the footballers of Laktaši, the reigning champions of Republika Srpska, have carried their momentum into the new campaign. With four wins in their opening four matches, they have quickly moved to the top of the table.
This strong start has left head coach Slobodan Starčević satisfied. He took charge of Laktaši on August 20 last year, after the second round of the previous championship.
“I’m not surprised by such a good start, because we expected something like this. The team has changed quite a bit compared to last season, but many experienced players have remained, so we still have a strong squad. I believe we’ll play even better as the season progresses. Our advantage might also be that we started preparations much earlier than most other first-league teams. We used that time to build chemistry, and the results are now showing,” Starčević explained.
According to him, Laktaši are not burdened by the pressure of finishing first.
“We don’t have that imperative, and in matches without such pressure it’s much easier to achieve good results. Our wish is to progress on all fronts, to further improve infrastructure, and to develop the club’s youth academy even more, since that is the foundation for the future,” he added.
In the next round, Laktaši will host Famos on Saturday at 4:30 p.m., followed by a Round of 32 match in the Republika Srpska Cup “Dr Milan Jelić” against Polet 1926 in Brod on Wednesday.
“Although the first-league side from East Ilidža has only three points, they are still a team worthy of respect. Their quality and experience are not reflected in their current table position, and if we want to win, we must be maximally focused and motivated on Saturday. As for the Cup, it will be an opportunity to give minutes to players who have had less playing time so far, and I expect them to justify the trust by securing a win and advancing to the Round of 16,” said Starčević.
He also stressed that the expansion of the league to 14 clubs has been a success.
“I think the league is much stronger now, although this will become clearer as the season continues. What’s obvious is that we now have 14 solid first-league environments, and the matches will be more interesting and higher quality. Refereeing has also improved in the opening rounds. All of this shows that the right move was made,” Starčević added.
Floodlights
Two days ago, floodlights were installed on Laktaši’s auxiliary pitch, a step that will significantly improve training conditions for all age groups at the club.
“This is a big day not only for Laktaši but also for all the clubs in the area. Our auxiliary pitch already has artificial turf, and now with the floodlights, we have the opportunity to train and play much more, including hosting friendly matches. Moreover, this surface can now be used even in poor weather conditions, which will certainly raise the quality of our work,” Starčević highlighted.
Source: Glas Srpske
