2018. A successful year for many Werder players. Succesful runs in both halves of the season, goals on debuts, World Cup debuts, comebacks and lots of noteworthy memories. In our review of 2018, WERDER.de have asked some Werder players to name their favourite moments of the year. This moment is what will stay in the memories of players for the rest of their lives. Next up: Milos Veljkovic.
"Something truly amazing was my first Bundesliga goal in the game against Köln. It was an important goal in an important game and against a direct competitor who were trying to stay in the league. Also my goal a few weeks ago against Hertha was pretty special. However, for me, the moment of the year was my debut at the World Cup in summer. The moment that really stood out was when the coach said to me that I would start against Brazil. That was just unbelievable, an indescribable feeling.
I couldn't get over it. If I'm being honest I've replayed the game in my head over and over without having even played it. Quite quickly I saw these players and a Brazil team that I had dreamed of playing against as a child. Of course it was it was amazing to be on the pitch with them and to play against them, but the moment Mladen Krstajic told me I would be playing stands out in my memory. I didn't play in the first two games and suddenly I was in the starting XI. That was amazing, a really grea moment that I just could not believe.
The closer the game got, the easier it became to deal with. My nervousness faded and I was just filled with excitement. When the game started it was almost just like a normal game. I was focussed on my performance but unfortunately we lost the match.
The meaning of the moment really hit home after the match, but there was one moment that I felt the gravity of as it was happening. I went up for a corner and Neymar was in front of me, ready to mark me. Directly next to me was Thiago Silva and I just took a step back and thought about the moment for a second. I've watched Brazil since I was a little kid on TV. I've admired Thiago Silva as a defender for a long time.
That was a very special moment where I was, maybe for a moment, not totally concentrated on the game. during the game you don't get much time to reflect on the game or show your respect. You have to just put in a great performance. You're in that kind of situation so rarely, but if you think about the moment too much then you are late to react and are perhaps at fault for conceding a goal.
"I'd like to see it again."Milos Veljkovic
I really understoond the moment just after the final whistle, like I said before. I got a lot of messages from my family and girlfriend, even from friends who I haven't spoken to in ages. They just suddenly popped up and congratulated me. It was amazing.
It all just happened so fast. Suddenly we got knocked out and were back in Serbia, unfortunately. Honestly I haven't watched the game at all. I really don't know why. Maybe because I was back to work almost straight after it. i had just one or two weeks off and then I was back in training to prepare for the new season. I'll probably watch it at some point when i have the time. In some ways I would like to watch it again now that I think about it."
