Now Werder’s vice-captain speaks!
Central defender Milos Veljkovic (27) talks to BILD about losing the World Cup with Serbia, being banned from the bank and ending his career at Werder.
BILD: Niclas Füllkrug criticized the lack of courage after the 2-0 defeat in Frankfurt. Why did Werder recently lack confidence in their own strength?
Veljkovic: “Against teams like Dortmund and Frankfurt, the whole team has to be at 100 percent. That wasn’t the case, even though there was more to come against Dortmund. But we didn’t finish the attacks well and ran into counterattacks in the two games. We had done that better before.”
BILD: Are you worried that Füllkrug will leave Werder in the summer?
Veljkovic: “He’s a top player. All I can say is that when he leaves, we will all be sad. Because he brings us forward both in terms of sport and personality.”
Veljkovic (left) in conversation with BILD reporter Michel Schröer
BILD: In talks with him, do you advocate staying?
Veljkovic: “It’s still too early to talk about it. But if I can contribute, I will.”
BILD: You have been vice-captain since this season. Are you also a man of clear words?
Veljkovic: “Yes, but independent of the captaincy. I try to take responsibility on the pitch, even if I’m not a speaker off it.”
BILD: What has changed with the deputy post?
Veljkovic: “I now take more time for meetings and trainer reviews. But anyway, I’m one of the first to come and the last to go.”
BILD: As an experienced player with two World Cup appearances, do you have the right to take on the role of defender?
Veljkovic: “For me, there is no boss in the back three. Everyone has to do their job.”
BILD: Like four years ago, Serbia was over after the preliminary round. Does the pride of having been there outweigh the frustration?
Veljkovic: “Definitely the pride. But especially in the last two games we didn’t manage to represent our country as we wanted to.”
BILD: You were criticized in Serbia after the World Cup. In your opinion, rightly so?
Veljkovic: “I haven’t read a newspaper for three or four years – it doesn’t matter whether it’s in Germany or Serbia. So I didn’t even hear the criticism. I don’t care if I’m praised or criticized. The most important thing for me is what coaches, family and fans think of me.”
BILD: Is the EM 2024 in Germany a special goal for you?
Veljkovic: “Of course, I matured into a national team player here and have played in the Bundesliga for almost my entire career. So that would be a great honor for me.”
BILD: Back to Werder: After the 1:7 in Cologne you ended up on the bench…
Veljkovic: “I know the situation because I’m not a player who was brought in for ten million. I had to develop my standing. But I trust myself. You have to be patient and take your chance at some point. I succeeded.”
BILD: In the summer you extended your contract until 2025. What other options did you have?
Veljkovic: “There were also opportunities to change before the second division season. But I felt and still feel good at Werder. That’s why I took the step into the second division with Werder. After the ascent, it was clear to me that I wanted to stay here.”
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BILD: You have been with Werder for seven years. Are you ending your career here?
Veljkovic: “Why not? But football is a fast-moving business, so I don’t want to look too far into the future.”
BILD: When you signed in Bremen, did you think that you would play here for so long?
Veljkovic: “I wished for it. It was a dream of mine to play for such a traditional club for a long time and even be allowed to be captain. I hope it goes on like this.”
BILD: What do you still want to achieve in your career?
Veljkovic: “A title with Werder would of course be a dream.”
BILD: Werder is now up against Bochum and Augsburg. What is the meaning of these two games?
Veljkovic: “They are of course very important. In terms of the standings, we’re the favorites, even though I think they’re evenly matched. That’s different than against the Champions League participants Dortmund and Frankfurt.
BILD: Two years ago, at the beginning of the second series, the lead over the relegation zone was large. In the end we went to the 2nd league. Why is it different this time?
Veljkovic: “I don’t believe in these comparisons. Many factors played a role in the relegation back then. Now we want and will do better.”
