Celta pay the price of success

By Aleksandar Boškovic

Having reached the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League at the first attempt, RC Celta de Vigo could be expected to be on the biggest high of their history. However, striker Savo Milosevic revealed that things were not as perfect as they seemed, as the Spanish club flirt with relegation in the Primera División.

Domestic plight
The Serbo-Montenegrin international was delighted with his team's European success, but admitted that Celta's poor league position - they are fourth from bottom - was a direct consequence of their Champions League endeavours.

European focus
"Celta are a very old club, but they are very young when it comes to performing in the top competitions," he told uefa.com. "The call of the Champions League was too strong - absolutely irresistible. In the autumn our thoughts were always on Europe and whether we want to admit it or not, this approach led to a crisis in the league."

Experienced striker
With the experience of his 30 years, and spells with FK Partizan, Aston Villa FC, Real Zaragoza, Parma AC and RCD Espanyol, Milosevic might have been a steadying influence on his team-mates. But he confessed that he too had been caught up in the excitement of the Champions League.

Local excitement
"And why not?" he asked. "I would compare my feelings with the feelings of the club. The Champions League games are the centre of attention in the club and in the city. The tension rises with every match."

Arsenal hurdle
Now that Celta have reached the last 16, that tension will only increase as the first leg of their first knockout round tie against Arsenal FC approaches next month. According to Milosevic, the Galicians could not have drawn more difficult opponents, but that has done little to dampen his resolve.

Will to win
"If I did not believe we could win, I would pack my suitcase and return to Belgrade," he said. "A footballer has to have faith and think only of victory. Celta have know-how, strength and quality players. We all have the same wish, but we have to be 100 per cent focused for 180 minutes and maybe more."

Shooting boots
If Celta are to prevail against Arsenal, they will need an in-form Milosevic. With seven league goals, two in the cup and one in the Champions League, the forward is not enjoying his most prolific season. However, he remains optimistic. "Every striker wants more," he said. "Ten goals is not a bad tally. I hope for better things in the spring, and 20 goals would make me happy."

League turnaround
Milosevic was also confident that Celta would start to remedy their problems in the league. "The other weekend we won 4-2 at [RCD] Mallorca. Now we have a series of easier fixtures and I believe that, by the middle of February, we will be in mid-table. Maybe that's what we should aim for this season, then next season we will be better."

International gloom
He must also hope for better luck with Serbia and Montenegro after a dreadful qualifying campaign saw them miss out on the UEFA EURO 2004™ finals. "It cannot be worse than last year," he said. "Losing to Azerbaijan was the lowest we could get. But I am convinced better days are ahead. Why? Because we are so hard-headed." A hard head and a willing heart could yet help Milosevic perform miracles for Celta too.