Bessone: We Want to Attract as Many Fans as Possible with Good Performances

After the international break, which was somewhat longer than usual this time, HNL action is finally returning. On Saturday at 6 p.m., the White-and-Blues will host Istra 1961. Speaking at a press conference, head coach Federico Bessone began by pointing out that it had not been easy to work without nine players who would normally have been available to him.

We were unable to prepare exactly as I had wanted because a large number of players were away on international duty. Our rhythm was disrupted somewhat as a result, but I am happy that we have so many young talents playing for Croatia and other national teams. As for those who stayed with us, I can say that they were highly committed during training.

Tunjić and Cantero have been with us for some time now and have adapted well to the team and their teammates. I am pleased about that because, first and foremost, they are both excellent people. They are also beginning to show what kind of players they are and what we can expect from them on the pitch.

Injured players Jona Ježić and Čaić will be unavailable for selection for some time.

Jona is having problems with his back, so we need to be very careful with him. He will be unavailable for six to eight weeks, and at this point it is difficult to give a more precise estimate. We will try to get him back as soon as possible because you know how important he is to the team.

Čaić is scheduled to undergo abdominal wall surgery on Monday. We expect him to be back in full training within two months at the latest.

Staying True to Our Style and Showing Our Character

Istra also have many young players, and their style of play bears considerable resemblance to that of the current Osijek side.

We will have to fight just as we have done so far, because otherwise we could run into problems. They certainly deserve more than the nine points they have collected. We must continue playing our own style and show our character when we have the ball. Without the ball, we need to be careful, particularly when it comes to marking Frederiksen. He is an excellent player, and we will have to keep a close eye on him, as well as on the other players.

Will there be any further changes to Saturday’s lineup beyond those forced by injuries?

I am very satisfied with the players who have featured most regularly in the team so far, as well as with everyone else who has been available to us. I am still not sure which lineup we will put out because I am undecided about two positions in the starting eleven. We will see.

Osijek have so far won every match at Opus Arena, and everyone hopes that run will continue on Saturday.

When I joined NK Osijek, I said that one of my main goals was to attract as many fans as possible to the stands. We are moving in the right direction, but of course, I always want more.

Everyone expects us to win all three of our consecutive home matches. Naturally, we want that too, but it is by no means easy. You know that I am always positive and believe in success, especially if we continue at this pace. I have a very good feeling ahead of the upcoming matches, and I am passing that feeling on to the players.

The Coach Has Quickly Won Over the Fans

Many have noticed how quickly Bessone has established an excellent relationship with Osijek supporters.

I am glad that we have managed to build such a strong connection. When I arrived, nobody knew me, but even then I said that I wanted to bring joy back to the fans and convince the players that we could play good, attacking football.

What particularly pleases me is that the players always give everything they have, and I consider that extremely important. I am proud of it. When the fans see that we are all giving everything for NK Osijek, I am convinced they will always stand by us.

Federico enjoys walking around the city and chatting with local residents. As he explains, he feels very much at home in Osijek.

I am happy to be here. People approach me with a smile and are pleased when we meet. That means a lot to me and gives me a very warm feeling. I think it is because people recognise the hard work and the desire to make things better.

I consider myself an ordinary person. I enjoy talking to people, and I sometimes get a bit of advice from them too. I find the whole experience very endearing.

I also really like the fact that the city is smaller and there is no heavy traffic. I can walk from my apartment to the city centre in 12 minutes, and I really enjoy that. I feel comfortable in Osijek, and I hope I will be able to stay here for as long as possible.