For Marko Perović, the dynamic winger from Spanish club Almeria, qualifying for the European Championship with the Montenegrin youth national team would mark a pinnacle in his career—a dream realized.

The Montenegrin U19 national team is set to kick off the elite round of European Championship qualifiers in Georgia tomorrow, aiming to become the first team in the history of Montenegrin football to secure a spot in a major competition.

Nenad Vukčević’s squad faces Slovakia, Poland, and host Georgia, with only the group winner earning a place in the final tournament to be held in Romania.

Alongside Perović, three other players boast international experience: Vasilije Adžić (Juventus), the seasoned Bodin Tomašević (Bologna), along with promising talents from regional powerhouse clubs—Marko Tadić (Partizan) and Vuk Vlahović (Dinamo). Together, they form a solid lineup to compete against Slovakia, Poland, and Georgia.

“We’re feeling optimistic, and I believe our optimism is grounded in reality,” Perović expressed in an interview with “Vijesti”.

“This generation has been unfortunate in coming close to qualifying for the European Championship on two occasions. We were just minutes away in the cadet competition two years ago, and we almost made it through during the elite youth tournament. This is the third opportunity for many players in this squad, and we’re determined to seize it. We can no longer claim to lack experience.”

An additional source of confidence comes from past encounters with their group rivals.

“We triumphed over Poland 3:0 in the cadet competition during the elite round, and most of that Polish squad is still intact. We also faced Slovakia in two friendly matches, both ending in a 1:1 draw, and we competed against Georgia, winning 2:1 and drawing 1:1. We’re somewhat familiar with our opponents, having already engaged them on the field, which adds to our optimism,” Perović added.

The third factor contributing to their confidence is the international experience of players like Vasilije Adžić, who has debuted in Serie A and the Champions League. Perović has also gained valuable playing time at Almeria, a club vying for promotion to La Liga.

“We’ve gathered minutes in competitive leagues, and I hope to leverage that experience to help our team achieve historic success. For me, as well as for my teammates, qualifying for the European Championship would be an incredible accomplishment and a highlight of my career to date.”

Perović acknowledges that his optimistic comments add a bit of pressure, but he sees it as a natural part of football.

“Pressure is a normal aspect of this sport; if you can’t manage it, this isn’t the right arena for you. I thrive under pressure and adapt to it daily. Sports involve believing and remaining optimistic, and I genuinely think that our optimism is justified. We just need to step onto the pitch and display our abilities.”

Our team will have its first match in the tournament tomorrow at 11 AM local time against Slovakia.

I made the right choice in club and country, and I hope to develop in La Liga too

Almeria is striving for promotion to La Liga 2 (Primera) from La Liga 1, and Marko Perović has already made seven appearances—five in the league and two in the Cup.

“In a way, this confirms that I made the right choice regarding the country and club. Initially, I was slated for the youth team upon my arrival, but I was quickly moved up to the first team,” Perović reflected.

His official debut came last November against Cordoba, where he nearly scored with his first touch, earning acclaim from the local Andalusian media and praise from coach Rubio.

“Sure, I felt some nerves, but they were the kind typical in sports that vanish the moment you first touch the ball. My initial touch was almost a goal; it fell just short, but the coach’s compliments provided me with the confidence to continue training and improving.”

Perović is fortunate to have elite teammates to learn from, including Sergio Arribas, who played for Real Madrid, and striker Leo Baptistao, who was part of Atletico Madrid.

“They are exceptional talents and having them as teammates is a blessing. You can see why they were part of such prestigious clubs. Arribas stands out for his clarity of thought, while Baptistao is a clinical finisher.”

In Spain, football is fast-paced—a significant shift for Perović, who began his career at Buducnost and later played at Jezero.

“It’s a change that suits me,” he smiled.

“The game is quick, the fields are fast; it’s not just a shift from Montenegro, but football here is quicker than anywhere else. I’m adjusting to it day by day; this was something I anticipated.”

Almeria, a sun-drenched city in southern Spain within the heart of Andalusia…

“I enjoy the climate and lifestyle; I have everything I need. We’re vying for a spot in La Liga, and although our recent dip in performance has seen us slide down the table slightly, all teams are closely grouped, with only a point or two separating us. The championship is lengthy, longer than any other, and I believe we will continue to fight until the end and emerge successful. It would be a tremendous opportunity for my growth in Liga 1,” Perović concluded.

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