Milenko Aćimović selected for France and Cyprus: Adrian Zeljković returns to U21, along with the hot member of Olimpija Dino Kojić
Photo: Luka Vovk / Sportida
The Slovenian U21 national team is entering a crucial phase of the qualifiers for the European Championship in Slovakia. Milenko Aćimović and his squad could take a significant step towards the final tournament or at least the playoffs as early as September, but the task will not be easy. Slovenia will first face France away, and then Cyprus at home in Murska Sobota. Aćimović has now revealed the list of players he will rely on, which also includes Dino Kojić, the breakout star of the 2024/25 season.
The coach has also called up Kojić’s teammate from Olimpija, defender Marko Ristić, while Adrian Zeljković has returned to the young squad after participating in Euro 2024. This time, Tjaš Begić is not included, as he is not fully fit to play, and Sandro Jovanović was left out, along with the surprising omission of Jan Đapo, who recently moved from Domžale to Russia and started his first foreign adventure well.
The team will gather on September 2nd in Moravske Toplice, and Aćimović told the NZS website: “I have complete trust in the players who have brought us to this position. The team earned this, and I don’t see the need for major changes. France gave us our only defeat in these qualifiers. They are a team with top players who deserve a lot of respect. The change of coach presents an unknown for us, as we were preparing with the coaching staff for the style of play they employed under Henry. Now, this will be a new story, and we will try to prepare for it as best as we can. We also have our own plans. In this group, and in football in general, you must not underestimate anyone. We have made this very clear with the boys. We will take it game by game, so we will not discuss Cyprus until the match in France is over.”
Slovenia has played five matches, with 4 wins and 12 points, leading the table in Group H. France is second with one game less and nine points. Cyprus is in last place, with no wins in five matches and only two points.
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet
National Team
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