I was chosen by the players on the bus for the captain

« I woke up and told my wife, we go home, » is Milenko Acimovicone of the most recognizable first -generation football players Srečka Katancabegan its view of the career and the period after it in Del’s football podcast Var at its end. In Vienna! The Ljubljana man, who, through his father, former economy at Olympia during the former common state, is indelible with Olympia, is a man who is tried to write Slovenian football history.

The famous or most recognizable goal in the additional qualifications for qualifying for the first major competition of the Slovenian national team against Ukraine at Plečnik’s stadium would perhaps be protected as a « cultural heritage ». The goal from almost half of the playground was written on the 13th in November 1999 in befriending letters, not only on the football map of the world, but on the general. He also marked Acimovic’s career.

Shevchenko told me I didn’t deserve his jersey

“Also life in Slovenia. Even now, at every turn, I meet the people who have been in this match. I am not talking about people who have been watching it through television screens, but they were actually in the race. It seems like it was all Slovenia behind Bežigrad at the time. That’s when I sailed on the waves of good games. It was only after the end of my career that I saw and relived differently when we qualified for major competitions. But on the other hand, this goal goes to my nerves. It seems like I have only scored one. But there were some more. For example, I have scored similarly important in the additional qualifications for the 2002 World Cup against Romania. With my head, it was more demanding, harder. Yes, the goal against the Ukrainians is at the forefront, as well as the one against Manchester United in the Champions League, « returned to the » Golden Period « the 48-year-old director of the Slovenian national team and revealed an anecdote. “At one of the charity matches on which it was also Andrej ŠevchenkoI asked him for the jersey. He made me not deserve it. Of course, I got it, « the famous Ukrainian remembers well, how much mountain was caused by the Ukrainians at the time, barely 21-year-old Slovenian national team.

Russia scored from a white spot, Manchester United for History

Acimovic pointed to a goal that was also special and had an interesting background. “The eleven -meter against Russia in the World Cup qualifiers. It’s hard to imagine now how I dared to take the ball into my hands and run a penalty shot in the last minute, at 22. I learned it without a single percentage of negative thinking. I waited the goalkeeper, he went in his direction, so I could do what I wanted with the ball, « was a moment that he would not forget. Why? “There was no Zlatko Zahovic in the band. I was not even selected as a contractor. What I took the ball, no one complained, as if I was automatically given this responsible task. Because I have Zahovic’s succession. « 

In the Lilla jersey, Milenko Acimovic decided in front of 75,000 spectators at Stade de France, the winner against Manchester United in the Champions League. Photo: Charles Platiau/Reuters Pictures

Acimovic explained in the conversation exactly how the eleven -meter is performed, how the goalkeeper is decided, how the shooter.

Beautiful moments are not forgotten. The goal he scored at Stade de France in Paris 2 in November 2005 by the famous Manchester United when led by Sir Alex Fergusonand the first celebrities were RUUD VAN NIGELROOY, Wayne Rooney and the giant in the creation Cristiano Ronaldohas brought Lill to the biggest victory in history. « Until recently, » he quickly dispelled guessing whether he was true.

In his career, Milenko Acimovic played for Olympia, Red Star, Tottenham, Lille, Al Ittihad and Austria Vienna. Photo: Marko Feist/Work

“Last year I was among the invitations to mark the 80th anniversary of the club. My goal was declared the most important, the biggest victory in history. Until a few days later, Real fell, « no longer » owner « of the most important club goal Acimovic, who came to France from London Tottenham. He moved to England from Red Star.

The English chapter did not have many football surpluses, but it was also a period when he got to know the then coach of the famous club and later coach of England Glenna Hoddl.

“I think he knew me well and understood me. We had had quite a few pleasant conversations before. It was interesting in front of one of the Slovenian national teams. Tottenham’s delegation arrived in Slovenia. When they learned that Katanec had not included me in the starting eleven, they were amazed. It was also very important for me, the transfer has not yet been realized. But walking me calmed me down. ‘Don’t worry, we have followed you exactly before, the matter is already over, we have welcomed you,’ he told me. We also worked well in London, he understood what I was meeting with, he allowed me for two or three days to go to Slovenia. He knew how demanding was the league leap, for example, in a derby against Chelsea … « praised the once excellent federal actor who did not give him much opportunity in England.

“It might turn differently if I had not missed the ‘Zicer’ against Fulham. Why I had difficulty adapting to English football, which was really different and was not written on my skin, had other newcomers, « is another small detail that can affect the development of a career for the better. Acimovic got a French sequel, though … « Everyone wondered what I needed to move to France. They told me to stay in London as long as I had a contract, because I was well paid enough, « he said, and supplemented the coaching chapter by recognizing that he was one of the most famous coaches from the former Yugoslavia area Vahid Halalhodzicwho was the culprit for his departure to Saudi Arabia to the Al Ittihad Club, where he later worked for a short time Matjaz Keka really special coach. That his hard approaches are really demanding.

The injury prevented the transfer to Spain

Acimovic also belongs to the category of players who had too much injury problems, dictating their careers. Due to an ankle fracture during a period when Lill was getting better, the career curve went slowly down.

“I was already before leaving for Spain before the unfortunate moment. These were my dreams, I was convinced that I could enjoy and play the best football in Spain. I was ready for this leap. We wanted to blackmail the transfer, but they did not agree with Lill. I could go after the end of the season. Then it happened, I was without football for almost a year … « 

“It was hard to go back. Everyone knew about my injury and everyone demanded testing. I couldn’t find a club in Europe, I couldn’t believe that this was possible in Europe. Then Halalhodzic’s offer came, he called me. At first, I thought I was inviting me to Turkey because he trained Trabzonspor at the time. I went home to him, he presented everything in detail. I told myself if he goes, I go. Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia was a big stranger. High temperatures, football mode, perception of football, acceptance of foreigners, and began to talk about the huge cash sums. After some time, however, I started missing European football, with my wife and daughter, who were with me at the time, we also had to adapt to their religious habits. To respect them, it was different than it is now. But it was correct, there were no big problems, it was only different, « Saudi Arabia nevertheless was an instructive experience.

Milenko Acimovic was finished in the jersey of Vienna Austria. Photo: Robert Zolles/Reuters Pictures

He became captain on the bus

Acimovic returned to Europe to Austria. The Vienna Austria was, as it turned out, the beginning of its end. But the memories of Austria are pleasant. However, part of his career at northern neighbors had an unpredictable start.

“They offered me a six -month contract. They did not trust my medical condition. But very quickly everything turned to my favor, they offered me a new contract, players, not a coach, as usual, they chose me as a captain. It happened on the bus, I didn’t know all the players. I convinced them in training and some matches. Such was the beginning of a really nice period, the league was written to my skin, as well as a place, Mateo was born in Vienna. Yes, I found myself there until I pulled one of my decisions again, « he revealed the Vienna chapter, explaining the introductory » moment of decision « in more detail.

“It didn’t go ahead. The knee was already brought, I took six, seven tablets a day, so I could even do my workout. I started behind in training, the players were overtaking me. Well, I was able to get a free kick, but it didn’t work out in the game. And so I woke up one day … We packed our suitcases, I went to the president who was shocked and broke up. He tried to convince me that I could stay, but I had already had a term with the contract. They didn’t have to pay for anything, we broke up friendly. But I was enough for me, injections, tablets, infusions, knee, ankle, it was just too much and I decided to do as I did. The doctor also reminded me that life is still waiting for football. « 

And another sports career, which he marked as a national team coach for up to 21 years and spiced it with a historic direct qualification for the European Championship, was successful. With the addition of an unusual decision, he exchanged the selection position as director.

“It was easy at first, the harder it was in the recent qualifications. Everything went in the right direction. I had a group of boys with great character. Really one of the most beautiful genera. I have a lot of jerseys at home, but the last with the dedication that the boys gave me is something special. They, too, went through the period when they did not play, they did not have a club, but I called them …, « Acimovic, who had already caught up in a new football role, also embraced emotions, and revealed many other interesting details in the VAR podcast that made his image and filled his rich sporting path.