Twelve in the morning in Mareo. A few minutes ago the penultimate training session before the derby ended and Djuka, one of the great leaders of the project, burst into the press room Leli Rubiera. On his back, a backpack that weighs his own: there are already 16 consecutive games without shouting a goal. Djurdjevic is extraordinarily disciplined. And very polite: he takes a seat in the exact place where LA NUEVA ESPAÑA is located before beginning a lengthy interview where he answers without any kind of evasiveness. He expresses himself in perfect Spanish, increasingly rich in words. His body language, serious, sober, clashes with his simplicity and great cordiality. He even breaks several smiles when talking about his children (Tadej and Andrea).
Are you ready for the derby?
–It is a very important game for us and for all the people of Gijón. I have been lucky enough to play two big derbies: in Greece (Olympiacos-Paok) and in Serbia (Red Star-Partizan). But this one is more handsome. We have to prepare to win.
–And were there such strict security protocols for fans?
–In Serbia they are much more so! Because the two stadiums are 200 meters away. There is much more…
-Violence?
-Yes. There everything is worse. And in Greece, too. But this one is going to be cute. Saturday at nine o’clock at night for an Asturias derby… I know the tickets are sold out. Everything is perfect.
–And how are these games faced: more heart or head?
-Both. We need to have a warm heart and a cool head to win. In any case, it will be a difficult game.
–He has gone 16 consecutive games without scoring a goal. Is that backpack heavy?
–I sign to win the derby without scoring a single goal. Because winning would give us a lot of joy before vacation.
-How are you?
– I am confident. I have the full support of the coaching staff and the club. I know I’m not scoring goals, but I’m very calm. All strikers go through bad streaks. I think I’ll break the drought on Saturday.
– What is the main difference with the previous drought?
–At 28 years old and after five years here, now I carry things in a much calmer way. When I signed for Sporting and went fourteen or fifteen games without scoring, it was a very difficult moment. Now I am much calmer. I have not forgotten to score goals. I have everyone’s support. That makes it a lot easier.
–Now that things are not working out: what does it mean to get home and see Andrea and Tadej?
It means a lot to see my family close. I’m somewhat closed and I don’t talk much. When I’m at home I try not to talk about football and I spend a lot of time with the kids. My family from Serbia is also coming. When we are together everything is much easier. Now that I’m not dialing it’s bad. But with them everything is easier.
Do you regret renewing?
-Nope. It was a sign of the confidence that the club has in me. That’s why I always give everything. In the end, when a striker doesn’t score goals, it’s very difficult. I hope to do it soon.
–What does Abelardo convey to you?
– Confidence and tranquility.
–He gave up going to the last call with Montenegro to be with Sporting in their league matches.
-Yes. I called the selector. He got it. No problem. Montenegro played two friendly matches and we against Leganés. I have a very good relationship with him.
–The Orlegi Group has made a revolution in the workforce in its first project. What do you think of the team?
–This year there is finally a lot of hot blood and character, and I like that. In recent years we have lacked character. There are many new players. We are not having luck in the last games. We have deserved many more points than we have. This is soccer. I’m sure things will change. It is that we are playing well. This Sporting competes very well. We have been close to winning every game, except in Granada.
Do you like transfers?
–Cali, Zarfino, Otero… They have a winning mentality. We have missed these years. And it is very important for a team like Sporting. We needed more character.
–And is there still time to reach the play-off?
–That is the goal of the club every year. Surely the entire coaching staff thinks about that. Sporting is always obliged to be on top. We will be there for sure.
–He rejected two offers: one from Lask and another from Mexico.
-If true. He wanted to continue at Sporting. Orlegi showed me a lot of confidence. That’s why I signed the renewal. I have always said it, I have been here for many years, but I am missing a single objective: I want to play in the First Division with Sporting.
– Do you see yourself retiring at Sporting?
–With these five years, yes (laughs).
-You don’t move then in the winter market?
– I remain one hundred percent.
–You have always expressed your dream of playing in the First Division. Lightning knocked on his door. Missed an opportunity?
– The best thing that could happen happened: staying. God knows what the best route is for me. I am in the best place I have to be. I never look back. I live in the present, not in the past.
– Does it take away sleep not scoring?
I’ve had a few sleepless nights. But you have to be strong mentally. I have not forgotten to play soccer. Neither score goals.
–Christ has given the team a plus.
–Christ has a lot of quality. He can give us a lot. He has a lot of quality. Players like that only help.
–How are you doing with Abelardo? He is one of the demanding coaches…
–Pitu is from the house. He understands Sporting and knows how things are going. I like it. He pushes a lot because he wants to get the most out of all the players. He wants us to give our best.
–Despite the drought, the fans have always been with you.
I know that all the sportinguistas are with me. They know that I give and will give everything for the club. It means a lot to be applauded now, that I’m on a losing streak. Sporting has the best fans in Spain.
– Are there many changes with the arrival of Orlegi?
–They haven’t been there for a long time, but you can see that they want to do many things. The work of Mareo is very important. They are very close to the players. Before the game, Guerra (David) and Gerardo are in the locker room. That means a lot.
How is the deal with them?
I talk to Gerardo and Guerra almost every day. They give me support and confidence. They tell me: ‘Don’t worry about not scoring goals. The important thing is that you give one hundred percent. The goals will come’.
–This year he has been named as one of the captains.
–There were many changes in the squad. Diego (Mariño), Nacho (Méndez), José (Gragera), Pedro have stayed… The rest are new. Being among the five captains means a lot: I am with Diego and Pichu, who have been there for many years, Jony, who is a star for Sporting, and Cali, who has the mentality we needed and comes from being captain at Boca Juniors.
–Your compatriot Milo is having a hard time getting in.
–He is lucky: he speaks Spanish. He knows that you have to train hard and give one hundred percent. The Pitu likes players who train hard. He needs to adapt a little more to this football. Second is a very difficult category. But he is young. He can make a career here at Sporting. He has quality.
– Did you know him?
-Yes. I saw it in some games, because sometimes I see Partizan. He scored a lot of goals and he had it under control.
