On Wednesday, NK Široki Brijeg is visiting FC Velež Mostar in the round of 16 of the BiH Cup. The match was announced by the head of the coaching staff Damir Milanović and striker Ilija Bagarić from among the guests.
Last weekend, the spring part of the season for the Premier League players started when the Široki Brijeg players celebrated on the road at Rudar with 1-2, and the Mostars drew 0-0 at home against the leading Borc.
Old acquaintances
These two teams know each other well after frequent meetings in the Cup competition in the past seasons, and additionally if you take into account the fact that most of the current professional staff of Širobriježan worked in Velež not so long ago.
Expectations are the same as in every game. Let’s go for the win. We know a lot of the team and people from the club there. On the other hand they know us toothey know our work, but we prepare to win, began Milanović.
Damir Milanović and most of the professional staff of NK Široki Brijeg have experience working in Velež as well
When asked if he will be able to do it again good game from PrijedorMilanović said that he was satisfied with the first official match under his leadership and that his ideas and wishes were for the team to always play aggressively and fighting.
We want to give our best in every game and we managed to present that in the first round. That’s one for us a guiding thread that we will try to follow and to be, if not at that level, always strive for better – to be even more aggressive and concrete in the attack phase. I hope that we will be able to present it already in Vrapčići.
I was a participant in the Cup matches of these two teams from one side and the other and I know that there is great respect from both sides.
When I was in Velež we didn’t care when we played with Široki, so that should also be taken into account, and again last year when I was in the staff of Široki Brijeg against Velež, the same story repeated itself to us, said the head coach of Širokobriježan.
Favorite question
The head of the profession from Pecare also referred to the issue of favorites in this meeting.
The favorite does not always win the Cup. In this case, I see from all the announcements that Velež is the big favorite, they are in good shape, they are a good and stable team, but also we have a staff of 25 players and I think we have to be ready every game. We’re going to do our best, and in the end we’ll see if it’s good or not.
Hrkać and Vehabović – the biggest threats
Milanović singled out two names in the opponent’s ranks, claiming that their quality can cause problems for his team tomorrow.
As a team they are strong, but if you ask me exactly that, I would say yes Snoring that it is one more quality. A player who knows how to play, who is the support of their team, everything is built on it. On the other hand there is Edo Vehabovićthe engine of the team going forward, a very good midfielder. There are many more individuals, but I would single them out because they were there when I was in that club.
Coach of Velež Ibro Rahimić after the match against Borac, he said that they are from Banja Luka a much better team than Široki Brijegand Milanović answered us whether he thinks that this can be an opportunity for his team to additionally surprise on the away field, considering that there are new names at Pecara who are still unknown to the other teams.
Colleague Rahimić has the right to his opinion and that is completely normal. We have 25 players and we will not combine anything, but those who are in the best possible condition will play tomorrow.
As for the championship and the Cup, we are not giving up on any front.
It is precisely for this reason that we have a large roster that we go to play and I think that all players deserve a chance. We are going to win both tomorrow and Sundaythese are our wishes, and the opponent is always asked something, Milanovic added.
New player registrations
It arrived in Široki Brijeg lots of new players so a somewhat wider roster is expected compared to the first official match in 2026.
Not all players are registered yetduring the day we expect confirmation for two names whether they will be in the frame or not. As for the last game, they are beyond our control Pranjić and Bašić who will take a break due to minor injuries. We have a lot of young players from the school that we would like to reward, show them because they deserve it with their approach and they all matter. Our togetherness was shown in Prijedor and we are going that way, said Milanović.
Expectations from a player’s perspective
Ilija Bagarić he returned to the field after an eight-month break due to a serious injury, playing all 90 minutes against Rudar. It was his first official game after Achilles tendon surgery.
Ilija Bagarić
There are two waiting for us for sure demanding matches. The Cup awaits us tomorrow, it is a specific game where we have seen on many occasions that there is no favorite. We players are ready to give our best and I hope for a positive result. The injury is behind me, I’m ready and nobody is happier than the players to move on, added Bagarić.
Bagarić for Jabuka.tv: I am grateful that I am back on the field, the team settled down quickly
Velež and Široki Brijeg in Wednesday from 20:30 are playing the match of the round of 16 of the BiH Cup with a live broadcast on Arena Sport TV.
Gigović referees Velež and Široki Brijeg, we bring the schedule of the 1/8 finals of the BiH Cup
(www.jabuka.tv)
