SPORT / SPORTS 108 | Fudbal » Football FOOT BA L L ’ S NEW HOP E : ST R AH I N J A E R AKOV I Ć Comparisons with Vidić make a big impression onme I’d love to reach the level that he was at. We both matured at Red Star and I hope that, like him, I’ll also have a brilliant career abroad DRESSEDINAREDSTARSHIRT, STRAHINJA ERAKOVIĆ quickly became a source of fear and trepidation for oppositionplayers.This young defender hasgrownupwithgreathelpfromtheexperienced Aleksandar Dragović and imposed himself as a player that national coachDragan Stojković could count on for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. However, the popular “Čupo” says that he’s thinking only about the Red & Whites and how to become a player who’ll leave a strong mark on Belgrade’s Marakana. This young knight of the Red Star order is already on the watchlists of many European clubs. And how could he not be, given that he plays flawless football? “The key to my progress is indedicatedwork, but also in the support that I receive from the club. Everyone is constantly backing me, ever since my days at the Academy. I followed a well-trodden path, by first maturing through the junior categories of Red Star, then in the shirt of development team Grafičar, to be ready to receive my baptism of fire in the first team. I still needed a little time to adapt even then, but everyone was behind me and that made the process much easier for me. For a young footballer, the most important thing is to feel that the club takes himseriously, with an awareness that time is also needed to develop a routine andovercome childhood illnesses,” says Eraković. TeammanagerDejanStanković is to “blame” for the chance Eraković received as early as the start of the season. “I was a “bonus” against Novi Pazar. I recall that it was 1st August and we won 3:0. That was a special day in my career. That wasn’t my first preseasonof preparationswith Red Star, but I was extremely proud because, after them, I wasn’t only able to remain with the first team, but was also able to get my chance at the start of the season. Those were my first preparation sessions with Dejan Stanković, with whom I built good relations immediately. He’swatchedmematuring,which is why it means a lot when he praises me, as he did after the 167th eternal derby. We are constantly talking; he’s amanwith incredible experience and I’ll certainly always remember what he’s taughtme.” His baptism of fire actually came in Europe, against Hoffenheim... “We did lose the game, but I received a lot of praise for the way I played. That was a completelydifferent feeling, even though I’d previously played in the derby. Still, that international match, in the group stage of the Europa League, was very special…” There’s no success without a special atmosphere, and the one from Red Star’s changing room is at a high level. “Red Star is a family, as I say at every step. I’ve been at the club for a long time, and in terms of length of service I’veperhaps beenhere the longest among all first team players, alongside Gordić, but, again, it’s different when you enter the ranks of the senior players. Iwas the youngest at onepoint, but everyone viewedme as an equal and that was extremely important for me to feel relaxed both on and off the pitch. I attended my first preseason training when I was still a cadet and I recall that everyone welcomed me warmly even back then. It’s different today but, backwhen I arrived, I had the closest relationswithNikolić, Petrović, Gavrić and Krstović – that’s something I have to emphasise. We were that ‘younger team’ and we stuck together.” His good performances led to the inevitable comparison: Strahinja is said to be the true successor of the great Nemanja Vidić. “Comparisons withVidić really make abig impressiononme.This is a player who left an indelible mark on such a club asManchester United. I’d love to reach the level that he was at. We bothmatured at Red Star and I hope that, like him, I’ll also have a brilliant career abroad. Vidić is the Serbian footballer that I admire, while among foreigners that’s Sergio Ramos.” Eraković has travelled the length and breadth of Europe with Red Star... “It’s tough to choose a single favourite location, but that would certainly be a place with constant spring and summer temperatures. I’d like to live in a country that has access to the sea.” We concluded by asking Strahinja which other athletes he admires… “Of course, that would first and foremost be Novak Đoković, who’s an incredible athlete. We’re all proudof himand everythinghe’s done in his career to date. Alongside Novak, there are also legendary basketball and water polo players, but Iwouldn’t single anyoneout because the list is really long,” admits Strahinja.
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