“This man plays ping-pong not for fun but to win,” Nuno Espirito Santo told me Sky Sports. “And if he loses, he just wants another chance to beat you. He wants it. That’s his mindset. He’s competitive. That’s his character.”
The manager of Nottingham Forest discussed Nikola Milenkovic in his office at the City Ground in their knowledge Sky Sports will soon speak with the Serbian defender at the club’s training ground. Recounting the tale to Milenkovic later, he just smiled.
“Yeah, I’m a bit competitive,” he admits. “Of course, I like to win. Everything I do I like to win.” He cited the example of legendary basketball player Nikola Jovic. “Serbians don’t play for fun. They want to play to win.”
Milenkovic is winning a lot with Forest now, a team that has changed since he arrived at Fiorentina in the summer. They currently have the second-best defensive record in the Premier League and can move fifth in the table with a win at Leicester on Friday.
Something has to change. Forest suffered a 3-2 defeat over a clean sheet last season. And while Nuno insists it’s a team effort, the product of preseason sweat, there’s no underestimating the impact the 6’5″ center back is currently leading the defense.
Defending corners has been a problem. This season, he has yet to concede 51. Milenkovic ranks second for aerial duels won per 90 minutes by a defender – second only to Virgil van Dijk. “I worked, took position, jumped,” he said.
Nikola Milenkovic’s aerial duel wins every 90 minutes put him second behind Virgil van Dijk
“I’m almost two meters tall, so it must be one of the qualities to win aerial duels. Set-piece, I think, is just focus and concentration.” Ever the perfectionist, he pauses interviews to find the right phrases in English. “The desire is not to admit it,” he added.
“It’s not just about the four defenders and the goalkeeper. It’s about the whole team, how the team sacrifices for each other. Our team has a good team spirit. Our team has a good mentality, the willingness to do the extra run, to help each other on the field.”
Nikola Milenkovic’s defensive action area for Nottingham Forest
Nuno agrees that grooming is as much mental as it is physical. He sees Milenkovic as a catalyst. “He’s contagious. That’s what makes him so valuable to us, his character. He brings stability, leadership, aggression,” the Forest boss said.
“Defending also requires a physical part, but it’s a lot about mentality. You have to be patient. Attackers have a different mindset. One mistake doesn’t mean too much. Back there, it takes 100 percent focus. Every minute, every action. . Nikola has it. “
It reflects his experience. Milenkovic is 27 years old, a veteran of two World Cups and a man with seven seasons in Serie A behind him. The trend is towards potential splurging but Forest have got the finished article for around ÂŁ12m. “Good deal,” said Nuno.
Italy used to be a great defense house. It remains fertile ground. “Serie A is more tactical,” Milenkovic explained. “The Premier League is stronger, more physical. Here, the football is faster. The referees don’t pick up many mistakes, they let you play.”
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Milenkovic was still young when he moved to Florence, signing with Partizan Belgrade by scoring the winner in the cup final against Red Star to achieve the double. He recalls the influence of Franck Ribery, teammates for two seasons at Fiorentina.
“It’s great to play with him. He’s a great person, a great champion. He has an amazing work culture, a very professional player. He helps us young players. He always gives us advice so we can learn a lot from him. “
Did he ever kick the old maestro? “He’s definitely trained 100 percent, so it’s possible.” A more natural icon of the game for him to draw inspiration from is his friend Nemanja Vidic, a faithful type of figure in the defender’s moldable game.
Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic is an inspiration to young Nikola Milenkovic
“When I was young, I watched a lot of Nemanja’s games,” Milenkovic said. “Of course, he is the best defender in Serbia. I grew up with him. I also watch all the video clips on YouTube. I learn a lot from watching him. I like the way he plays.”
Just as Vidic has Rio Ferdinand, Milenkovic has his own defensive foil, a joyous Murillo with his long-range free-kicks and equally ambitious passing. The young Brazilian benefited from his constant influence alongside him. They are two very different defenders.
Murillo left foot. Milenkovic prefers the right. Murillo’s weakness is his height. Milenkovic is a monster. Nuno readily admits that one person’s presence has an effect on his mind. “More than anything, it’s a profile,” Nuno said.
“They complement each other. I really believe. The two central halves have to work as one. They can’t ignore the distance between them. Sometimes they have to be very tight. Covering, communication. And they have been amazing.”
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Will we see Milenkovic hit some free kicks tied with an own goal? “Maybe. We’ll see.” But there were 17 goals for Fiorentina and while he called the win against Liverpool his favorite moment so far, there was also an assist for Chris Wood against Chelsea.
“With almost two meters, I have to be dangerous in the opponent’s box. Of course, I have to do more than this. I can do more than this. And I will do everything.” And somehow, you just don’t doubt that he really means it. Nikola Milenkovic played for the win.
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