YUGOSLAV
Josip Broz TITO
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2002
- Messages
- 3,587
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Chicago, (Mostar)
- Fav. Players
- Baggio, Totti, Maldini, Canna, Olic, Barbarez, Šuker, Gatu, Buffon, Pirlo, Zambro & Nesta
Siniša relishes bad boy reputation
Wednesday 1 December, 2004 (Football Italia).
Siniša Mihajlovic fully admits he enjoys being a controversial figure and launches into an attack on Zvonimir Boban, Juventus and the press.
“I have often asked myself why I am considered unlikeable,” said the Inter defender. “I don’t suppose it really matters, as the important thing is that people talk about me. Even criticism gives you extra motivation.”
Former Lazio man Mihajlovic has done his best to fuel a ‘bad boy’ reputation, running into long UEFA bans after hurling a racist insult at Arsenal’s Patrick Vieira and then spitting at Adrian Mutu during their game with Chelsea.
“I have been in Italy for a long time and am ready to buy anyone a drink if they can think of a story that hasn’t been written about me,” he smiled. “At Lazio they also used to say every goal conceded was my fault, but I have broad shoulders and am used to being criticised.”
Yet he reacted angrily this week when former Milan star Zvonimir Boban, now a pundit for Italian television, claimed Mihajlovic should retire.
“I didn’t expect Boban to say these things. We’ve known each other since I was seven years old and perhaps he was harsh because I am a Serb and he is a Croat. From now on when someone asks him about Mihajlovic, he’d do well to say ‘no comment.’”
When he was signed on a free transfer from Lazio this summer, many suggested he was there purely as Coach Roberto Mancini’s representative in the dressing room and unofficial assistant manager. However, he has slowly worked his way into the first team at the expense of Marco Materazzi.
“Everyone is a first team player in this squad and we are all on the same level,” insisted the 35-year-old. “The important thing is to be ready and help out when you can. Inter’s defensive record cannot only be blamed on the defence, as the whole team has to work hard.”
The Nerazzurri showed both sides of their character on Sunday night, going 2-0 down to Juventus before grabbing a 2-2 draw in the final stages.
“If the game had carried on for another ten minutes then we would have beaten the Bianconeri,” insisted Mihajlovic. “Our only problem is one of balance and concentration. This moment can’t carry on forever, so we set out to win the Scudetto and, until that is mathematically out of the question, will continue to strive for that aim.”
Juan Sebastian Veron returned to full training today and should be available to face Messina on Saturday evening, but Emre and Giuseppe Favalli are likely to miss out.
Wednesday 1 December, 2004 (Football Italia).
Siniša Mihajlovic fully admits he enjoys being a controversial figure and launches into an attack on Zvonimir Boban, Juventus and the press.
“I have often asked myself why I am considered unlikeable,” said the Inter defender. “I don’t suppose it really matters, as the important thing is that people talk about me. Even criticism gives you extra motivation.”
Former Lazio man Mihajlovic has done his best to fuel a ‘bad boy’ reputation, running into long UEFA bans after hurling a racist insult at Arsenal’s Patrick Vieira and then spitting at Adrian Mutu during their game with Chelsea.
“I have been in Italy for a long time and am ready to buy anyone a drink if they can think of a story that hasn’t been written about me,” he smiled. “At Lazio they also used to say every goal conceded was my fault, but I have broad shoulders and am used to being criticised.”
Yet he reacted angrily this week when former Milan star Zvonimir Boban, now a pundit for Italian television, claimed Mihajlovic should retire.
“I didn’t expect Boban to say these things. We’ve known each other since I was seven years old and perhaps he was harsh because I am a Serb and he is a Croat. From now on when someone asks him about Mihajlovic, he’d do well to say ‘no comment.’”
When he was signed on a free transfer from Lazio this summer, many suggested he was there purely as Coach Roberto Mancini’s representative in the dressing room and unofficial assistant manager. However, he has slowly worked his way into the first team at the expense of Marco Materazzi.
“Everyone is a first team player in this squad and we are all on the same level,” insisted the 35-year-old. “The important thing is to be ready and help out when you can. Inter’s defensive record cannot only be blamed on the defence, as the whole team has to work hard.”
The Nerazzurri showed both sides of their character on Sunday night, going 2-0 down to Juventus before grabbing a 2-2 draw in the final stages.
“If the game had carried on for another ten minutes then we would have beaten the Bianconeri,” insisted Mihajlovic. “Our only problem is one of balance and concentration. This moment can’t carry on forever, so we set out to win the Scudetto and, until that is mathematically out of the question, will continue to strive for that aim.”
Juan Sebastian Veron returned to full training today and should be available to face Messina on Saturday evening, but Emre and Giuseppe Favalli are likely to miss out.