The difficult “moon” of Filip Djuricic with the two muscle injuries that he has now left behind, the battle for the two titles with Panathinaikos and for his return to the Serbian national team ahead of the Euro and Terim’s faith in him and in the competition” reset” of.
On the afternoon of March 5, when Dragan Stojkovic announced the 29-man preliminary selection for Serbia’s friendlies against Russia (21/3) and Cyprus (26/3) and did not see his name in it, he felt as if he had received the strongest one. .. kicking a defender’s tackle.
It wasn’t the easiest thing for Filip Djuricic – a permanent member of the Serbian team for the last 5-6 years – to be left out of the list in the last effectively international window before the finals of Euro 2024.
But it seemed, from one point onward, like a normal development, since from the beginning of 2024, his two calf injuries kept him out for a total of over a month and a half and nine matches with Panathinaikos.
Suffered the first calf injury in the Betsson Hellenic Cup opener against Olympiacos at Leoforos (10/1) as a result of which he missed the match against AEK at OPAP Arena and the second leg against Olympiacos, and after being sidelined due to cards and the match against Asteras Tripoli, he returned to the first quarter-final against Atromitos (24/1).
Even playing at the top of the attack due to the injuries during that time to all three of Panathinaikos.
He then played as a substitute in Toumba, he was very good in the return match with Atromitos in Peristeri (31/1), but in the Stoiximan Super League “eternal” derby with Olympiakos in Leoforos (4/2) he hit the same spot again .
Thlasis was out again for six consecutive games, before rejoining the team (without playing) in the last match against OFI in Crete and coming back as a substitute for 14 minutes in the Faleri derby of the premiere of the playoffs (10/3).
The message after being cut from the national team
All that “in-and-out” and bad luck with muscle injuries pissed him off, but it didn’t shake him. On the contrary, the day after he was cut by the Serbian national team (which seemed to cast doubt on his presence at the finals of the Euro), the 32-year-old attacking midfielder made sure to send a strong message that the time had come to return.
“Reflecting on the last few months, it has been a journey marked by challenges and setbacks. Despite two calf injuries, I remained determined to recover.
While some things are beyond my control, I am thankful that the worst is now behind me and I feel more determined than ever. I am committed to reaching my peak performance as soon as possible.
All this to support the team and the club to achieve our dream. ONLY PAO!”, Djuricic wrote on his personal Instagram account at noon on March 6.
Few may have bothered with his post that afternoon, but he didn’t care. The issue for “Juri” was how he felt inside.
And for him it was time for… actions.
To become valuable again in the battle for the double
It is a given that he has not been playing well for a few months and since December he has not lived up to the high expectations on the pitch created not only by his summer transfer and his heavy resume, but also by his excellent start to the season.
With four goals and the same number of assists until October, great games in the Champions League summer qualifiers, assists in the league and in Europe, dribbles, “aprons” and “touches” of football… an artist.
Injuries took him back, but precisely because he is a player with a great football ego and a very strong personality, at the same time he is extremely stubborn and determined for the big comeback.
Having a great double motivation in this season finale. To become important and valuable for the greens again, to give everything on the field for the two titles and through his appearances in Panathinaikos, to win his place in the Serbian national team again ahead of the Euro 2024 finals in Germany.
After all, Stojkovic’s “eye” is permanently on the Greek courts, where apart from Djuricic and Mladenovic (and soon also Maksimovic) in the “clover”, he constantly monitors the situation of Andrija Zivkovic of PAOK and Miyat Gacinovic of AEK.
Stojkovic knows very well what kind of player “Juri” is and how much strength and different perspectives he brings to the Serbian game.
All he wants is to get back in good shape…
Terim wants to bring him back racing
Fatih Terim wants exactly the same, who had no doubts about the Serbian midfielder. After all, for years, he was permanently in his sights during his two different stints on the Galatasaray bench, and he himself was not bothered at all by the fact that in this part of the season, Djuricic was not called up to the national team.
On the contrary, these three weeks of the break offer him the opportunity to work much more with him, to get him back in good condition.
It is one of Terim’s main goals in this break, the competitive return of the 32-year-old ace and he is doubly happy to see him every day in training full of motivation and in the right spirit.
He knows very well what he can get and what Djuricic can give him on the pitch and he wants the Serb to be one of his extra weapons in this finale of the season. Unexpected for some, but not for the Turkish technician.
And even more so for Djuricic himself, who has made a big bet with himself and wants to win it…