Mihajlovic’s determination key to AC Milan success

Date: 20th February 2016 at 10:32am
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Saturday 20th of February marks the 47th birthday of Rossoneri coach Sinisa Mihajlovic. Kevin Pogorzelski looks back at the playing career of the combative Yugoslavian.

Sinisa Mihajlovic AC Milan

Clarence Seedorf and Filippo Inzaghi left with little to celebrate during their coaching stints at AC Milan, but the Rossoneri’s strategy of employing Serie A legends in the hotseat could finally be paying off with Sinisa Mihajlovic.

Although it should be noted that he came with a significantly better coaching pedigree, after spells in charge of Bologna, Catania, Fiorentina and Sampdoria.

However, what the younger generation of Milanisti may not realise, is that the Serbian tactician has matched the duo for footballing talent and an insatiable desire to succeed.

Admittedly his predecessors have slightly more bulging medal bags, but his achievements highlight the drive of someone growing up in war torn Eastern Europe to excel.

Starting out with tiny hometown club Borovo of Yugoslavia, the 17-year-old made an immediate impact netting his side’s only goal in a 1-1 draw.

After a trial with Dinamo Zagreb ended, Mihajlovic first displayed a stubbornness that would follow him throughout his career. Mihajlovic rejected their scholarship offer and ultimately missed out on victory at the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championships.

Dinamo’s loss, though, was Red Star Belgrade’s gain, as the midfielder played a major role as they won European and Intercontinental Cups in 1991.

Red Star Belgrade

Mihajlovic in particular provided a match-winning performance in the semi-final against Bayern Munich – scoring twice – and confidently stroked home his penalty in the shootout against Marseille during the final in Bari.

However, that historic season also saw the darker side of his character surface after he was sent-off in two fiery encounters with Hadjuk Split – one being the Yugoslav Cup Final – after several violent clashes with Igor Stimac called a halt to play.

Thus, how he attacked (verbally) some of his Milan players – notably Mario Balotelli – recently for a lack effort, indicates that Mihajlovic still sees every match as a fight to the end.

“Those who do not spit blood until the final whistle will not set foot on the pitch,” exclaimed the Serbian.

With the region ravaged by war, a team hosting the talents of Dejan Savicevic and Robert Prosinecki was dismantled, and the 22-year-old headed to Italy in 1992.

At Roma few expected the impact he made due to the three foreigner rule, however, once again his determination and self-confidence shone through, as he made 29 Serie A appearances and forced the likes of Thomas Hassler and Claudio Caniggia to miss out.

However, with the Giallorossi switching him to defence – restricting his ability to release thundering left-footed strikes – he reflected upon it as “the two worst seasons of my entire career.”

Mihajlovic - Lazio

Starring at centre-back, though, Mihajlovic joined Sampdoria in 1994 and, although an equally fruitless pursuit of trophies was endured, it was a far happier time as he was reunited with countryman Vladimir Jugovic and cultivated his reputation as a set-piece specialist.

When the Serbian finally returned to Rome in 1998, this time with Lazio, success on the pitch did follow as he collected a host of titles including the domestic double in 2000.

During the most successful period in their history, Mihajlovic made 190 appearances and amassed an impressive 32 goals from defence, aided by a hat-trick of free-kicks against the Blucerchiati.

Unsurprisingly, though, acts of aggressive ill-discipline were magnified. First during an ill-tempered Champions League tie with Arsenal in 2000 when he racially abused Patrick Vieira and then an eight-match ban in 2003 received for spitting at Chelsea’s Adrian Mutu.

However, that the pair later played under the tenacious defender for Inter (as assistant) and Fiorentina, respectively, shows that they understood his actions often stemmed from an unrelenting will to win.

At the age of 35, that steely determination saw former teammate Roberto Mancini take the Serbian to Inter for one last swansong, and did so with a Scudetto and consecutive Coppa Italia’s.

While some Rossoneri players may find their San Siro careers cut short for not sharing his fight to death spirit, the club and it’s supporters could well benefit from that spirit over the next few seasons.

 

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