Nenad Bjelica He was a talented Croatian midfielder who left his mark on Spanish football. It was one of the key pieces of the ‘Mechanical Cheese’ of Albacete in the 90s under the orders of Benito Floro. In Albacete his goal at the Camp Nou is still remembered signing the only victory for the white team in its history in the Barça fiefdom. After hanging up his boots, he has coached teams such as Austria Vienna, Lech Poznan, Dinamo Zagreb, Trabzonspor and Unión Berlin.
That goal is part of the history of Albacete…
It is fortunate and I am very happy that after so many years that my name is always associated with the victory in Barcelona, for me it was a very important goal, perhaps the most important of my sporting career, for Albacete it was important but also for me.
How do you remember the goal?
I remember very well the play of my goal, it was a pass from Santi Denia who that day was playing in the center of the field, I was playing on the left wing, I was able to face Ferrer, I went inside and shot from the farthest corner to beat Busquets. It was a huge joy for everyone, there was still half an hour left in the game, but we were able to hold on with good saves from Molina. We played a great game to achieve a historic victory in the game that was the farewell of Ronald Koeman of Barça.
Albacete is unleashed after eliminating Real Madrid…
I can imagine the madness that must be experienced in the city these days. When you play against big teams, the city is a party, against Real Madrid I was watching the game and it was a great joy to see the joy of the fans with that victory. I hope they can do the same against Barça, although it will be complicated, but in football anything can happen. I have no doubt that the fans will push again and be by their team’s side, I will watch it again from a distance and support them in every way I can.
What was it like playing against Cruyff’s ‘Dream Team’?
They were a great team that played very attractive football for the fans. That season we tied two goals at Carlos Belmonte in the match played in the first round. I was able to score the second goal and Dertycia the first. Furthermore, I remember that I had a great chance to score 3-1 but then Barça got the tying goal. It was a great Barça with players like Romario, Laudrup, Guardiola or Koeman that could mark a stage in Spanish football.
At Dinamo Zagreb you had Dani Olmo as a player…
I had him under my command, yes, and he was a great player who already had a lot of quality at that time. He has arrival to the area, last pass and goal. I have no doubt that it will succeed. and he will be an important player in Barcelona
What does a coach do when he doesn’t train?
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Now that I don’t train, what I do is watch a lot of football. I like to watch all types of Leagues to be prepared for when an opportunity may arise that may interest me and that is good for my family.
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