Bessone After Convincing 3-0 Win: We Have Changed the Mentality and Energy, Ježić: We All Fight for Each Other

 

Osijek continued their excellent start to the season. The White and Blues defeated Slaven Belupo 3-0 at Opus Arena in Matchday 5 of the HNL, securing their fourth league victory of the campaign. The hero of the match was 17-year-old Jona Ježić, who scored his first two HNL goals for the senior team. He opened the scoring as early as the 10th minute, Nail Omerović made it 2-0 in the 37th, and Ježić sealed the convincing victory with his second goal after the break.

Bessone: I Am Very Proud of the Team

After another very good performance from his players, head coach Federico Bessone made no secret of his satisfaction.

Honestly, I am very happy for the team. I am a very demanding coach, especially during the week, and I know that sometimes I am strict with them, but I am very proud. I told the boys: if we play like this and train like this, I will always be happy and proud.

He also had a special message for the fans, who once again gave the White and Blues tremendous support.

I am very happy for our fans, for the people who left the stadium feeling like this today. For me, that is something wonderful. We have felt their support from the very beginning, and I just want to say to them – a big thank you!

High Pressing as a Trademark

Osijek imposed their rhythm from the very first minute, and Bessone highlighted the high press as one of the key elements of his plan.

We wanted to press high, as we usually do. The boys understood the plan perfectly. At no point did we allow our opponents to develop their game. They were constantly under pressure, they couldn’t break free and they never felt comfortable on the ball. That way of playing led us to numerous chances and, ultimately, to the goals.

The White and Blues’ head coach also had particular praise for goalscorers Ježić and Omerović.

Jona is developing very well, he recognises situations on the pitch and I have believed in him from the beginning. I am happy for Omerović as well. Sometimes, during the week, I put too much pressure on our wingers, but every day in training Nail shows how committed he is, just like his teammates.

“We Were Almost Perfect in the First Half”

Osijek did most of the work in the opening 45 minutes. Bessone admitted that he expected a certain drop in energy after the break, given the intensity with which his team started the match.

I expected us to drop off a little in the first ten minutes of the second half because we used a lot of energy in the first half. During that period, we were almost perfect!

The substitutions then helped raise the home side’s tempo once again.

The players who came on brought us good energy and freshness, which is why we managed to be so effective. I have to be honest and say that we scored the third goal at a time when we weren’t really at our best, but these things happen in football. Later, we created more chances and could have scored a few more goals.

We Have Changed the Mentality and Energy

The fans were once again able to enjoy watching an energetic, aggressive and dynamic Osijek side. Changing the team’s approach was one of Bessone’s main objectives when he took charge of the White and Blues.

I came here because I wanted to change quite a few things in the way we play and in our approach. I don’t want to pretend I am reinventing the wheel, but the truth is that the players lacked confidence. We managed to change that mentality and energy. The boys believe in what they are doing, and I am truly proud and happy that we have managed to change that.

Ježić: We All Fight for Each Other

It was a special evening for Jona Ježić. The 17-year-old led Osijek to victory with two goals and made no secret of his delight after the match.

We deserved to win. The coach prepared us brilliantly for the match, we stuck to the plan and everything went as it should. We started the match very well, had five or six chances in the first half and went into the break two goals ahead, before continuing in the same way in the second half.

The young first-team player particularly emphasised the togetherness within the squad.

The mentality really is different, we all fight for each other. We enjoy training and we need to keep it that way. And we will.

First Goals and a Huge Applause from Opus Arena

Ježić was rewarded for his excellent performance with a huge round of applause from the stands, and he also revealed one detail that helps him when making runs into dangerous areas in front of the opposition goal.

Coach Jugović tells me before every match to attack the space in front of the opposition goal because I have that instinct. I listen to him, and today I was rewarded for it. I think I have a good instinct for goal. I still need to improve my finishing, but that is starting to come as well.

He did not forget the fans either.

Thanks also to the fans, who gave us fantastic support. Without their support, the victory would not have been this convincing. We are in good form and we will do our best to pick up points in the matches ahead as well.

Rijeka Next: “Why Shouldn’t We Win Again?”

After a fourth victory in five league matches, Osijek now enter a demanding period. Next up is Saturday’s away match against Rijeka at Rujevica, followed by a Cup tie against Segesta and then a home clash with Dinamo. Head coach Bessone, however, is currently fully focused on the next challenge.

We have quite a difficult schedule ahead of us, with two very demanding league matches and the Cup game as well. Right now, we are thinking about Saturday and Rijeka. We have nothing to lose. We are going there in a very positive atmosphere and we will try to win again. Why not?