Partizan youth coaches Milos Bogunovic, Ivan Stokic and Djordjije Cetkovic joined the latest edition of Partizan Kids episode.
Former Partizan player Milos Bogunovic won three titles and two national cups with Partizan, played CL and EL with the club and never lost Eternal derby game. He is now U-12 coach at Partizan and viewers were able to hear about his first introduction to football game, senior career path, excellent Partizan performances and how Bogunovic decided to hang his boots and move onto the coaching.
Partizan fans still remember Bogunovic`s goals, especially the one scored in a famous Fenerbahce match 15 years ago. Bogunovic still has a mixed feelings looking back to that encounter.
“Everything was great but kind of force majeure affected the final outcome, non-football things we couldn`t have influence on. The very start of the game and everything that happened during the match was something no one could have expected. I feel sad how it ended as well as the return leg in Istanbul where we also had a goal disallowed unfairly. If only we managed to score a 2-2 equalizer away, Champions League group stage would be there for us but we got it our way two years later against Anderlecht, we were kind of compensated”, said Bogunovic.
Former Partizan winger stated how players always need support, not only when the results are good.
“It`s easy to give support to someone who`s doing well, it`s all sweet then. When you win, you are pleased with yourself as well and it doesn`t really matter is someone is praising you. But, when things get tough support is very important, you need to feel someone is behind you to push you forward”.
FK Partizan Youth School takes part in many international tournaments. One of the upcoming ones is Gallini Cup taking place 7-11 April. This is the second tournament for U-14 coach Ivan Stokic who previously attended Abu Dhabi Cup with his young charges.
“We had some great teams at Abu Dhabi tournament, such as Valencia or PSV, and experiences against these teams will mean a lot to us later on. Now, we have some really good youth schools around in the likes of Udinese or Napoli. It`s all a good experience and it`s good for the kids to play against such attractive opposition. It`s also important we grow as a team, kids to advance with each new day and to become the best version of themselves”, said Stokic.
Partizan U-13`s and U-14 are regulars at Gallini Cup and they often come back home with medals around their necks.
“We were at Gallini Cup with boys born in 2006 and this is the team I`m currently coaching. Back then, I was assistant to coach Nenad Djukanovic. In 2019, 2006 generation won Gallini Cup and later on 2007 generation was third-placed. It`s one nice experience, well organized tournament with quality teams. It`s a good place for us to see where we stand at the moment, to see what level we are on and how far we can reach in the future. I think it will be one great challenge for my colleagues going to Italy now”, said U-16 coach Cetkovic.
Finally, Milos Bogunovic sent a message to kids attending Partizan Youth School.
“They need to have self-belief and to fully commit to every training session and football game. What they will face with at senior is hugely different to youth school, there`s so much pressure, seriousness and very little room for mistakes. They have to understand all that and be ready for everything”, said Bogunovic.
