2023-09-29 12:57:00
Milos who? The Serbian median, born in Munich 27 years ago, is not the most high-sounding name in Bavarian history. But how many players in the Pro League can say that they played in the Bundesliga with the Bayern jersey? Pantovic can confirm this. “Even if it was only three minutes in stoppage time,” he smiles after settling down for the interview in the Kehrweg dressing room.
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Tell us about that moment when Pep Guardiola threw you into the game on the pitch at Werder Bremen in October 2015.
“There were a lot of injuries at the time and Guardiola called on a few youngsters. He rewarded me by making me play the game. He gave me some instructions but I didn’t understand much, out of emotion (laughs). I still touched the ball twice. With Xabi Alonso next to me in the middle, I didn’t have too much to worry about. ”
Milos Pantovic in discussion with Pep Guardiola before coming on board in 2015 at Bayern. ©DR
Thanks to these three minutes of play, you are officially German champion 2015-2016.
“Yes, I have the medal at home. I am obviously aware that my impact on the title was more than minimal (laughs). But that was never taken away from me. I was 19, it was a fabulous time. ”
In the Eupen locker room, do people ask you questions about your years at Bayern?
“Yes and I answer with pleasure. It’s normal, I’ve met lots of big names in world football and that arouses curiosity. ”
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“Guardiola places a lot of emphasis on gestures that save you half a second in the game.”
Which big name do you get the most questions about?
“Pep Guardiola, clearly. ”
What can you tell us about him?
“He insists a lot on details. Give the ball to your teammate’s right foot, turn in the right way when you receive the ball to move forward faster… Things that save you half a second and that often makes the difference. He places a lot of emphasis on speed of execution and the importance of watching the game, to know where all the teammates are. It may seem basic but these are scales to be repeated constantly to reach the very high level. This way, you can do it as easily in a match in front of 60,000 people with a high heart rate as in training. ”
This rise in the game against Bremen, is it your only contact with the A core of Bayern?
“No, I took part in several training courses abroad, I played several friendlies, including one against Sergio Ramos’ Real Madrid. I was also on the bench a few times later, notably when we won the Super Cup against Dortmund. Carlo Ancelotti was coach at the time. ”
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“I also had Ancelotti and ten Hag as coach at Bayern.”
Was he very different from Guardiola?
“Yes, it’s another style. So calm, Italian style. A true gentleman. He always had a word for everyone, even for me, the kid who accompanied us to the training course. With his son Davide, they form a real coaching duo. ”
You also knew the current Manchester United coach, Erik ten Hag.
“Yes, when I moved from the U19s to the Bayern B team in 2014, he was the coach. The club has always provided the means for its training. Even among very young people, there are plenty of excellent coaches. Ten Hag was a bit like Guardiola. He focused a lot on the same details. At the time it seemed annoying to me but he was right. That’s high-level football. ”
Breaking into Bayern from senior teams, is it possible?
“It’s very difficult. You have to be a future world-class player to achieve this. In recent years there have only been David Alaba and Thomas Müller. The step was too big for me. My only regret is not having left a year earlier or even two. I stayed at Bayern until I was 22 before signing for Bochum in D2. I could have stayed, I still had a contract but it was time to stand on my own two feet. ”
You still stayed at Bayern for eleven years.
“Yes, I arrived at the age of 11. It could even have been more. I was spotted when I was 7 years old during a tournament. But my parents couldn’t drive there almost every day. I was disappointed but my father told me that my luck would come again if I was good at my little club. He was right.”
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“Among all the stars, Alonso and Götze impressed me the most.”
Who is the player who impressed you the most during your years at Bayern?
“I saw so much talent… I’m going to say Xabi Alonso and Mario Götze. When you see them play, you just say: wow. Everything is simple, everything is controlled. Thiago Alcantara was also incredible. Crazy technique. But it’s hard to choose when you’ve also played with Arjen Robben, Franck Ribéry, Robert Lewandowski…”
Your mobile phone is placed in front of you there. If I steal it from you, will I come across numbers of Bayern stars?
“(He thinks) I don’t think so. Thomas Müller congratulated me last year when I scored a double against Mainz in the German Cup, but it was through a private message on Instagram. ”
Will he send you a message if you score two goals against Anderlecht on Saturday?
“I don’t know if he follows the Belgian championship (laughs). But there have always been a lot of good players here, notably Sergej Milinkovic-Savic at Genk. I played with him for the Serbian U21s. When I got my information before coming, everyone told me the same thing: it’s an underestimated competition. ”
In the summer of 2022, you could sign for Ghent but you preferred Union Berlin, the excellent surprise in the Bundesliga. It’s still surprising to find you in Eupen today.
“It’s true that I could sign for Ghent but I wanted to stay in the Bundesliga after Bochum. Unfortunately, I had a difficult season in Berlin. This summer, I received a call from Eupen coach Florian Kohfeldt. I knew him from having faced him in Germany. I always liked the game he developed. I wanted to join him, even if Berlin was going to play in the Champions League. ”
You arrived in Eupen on August 28 but you have already given an assist and scored a goal in three matches. For three defeats, that said.
“Yes, I’m happy with my debut but we’re missing the points. I hope I can help the team with assists and goals. ”
Will you score from midfield in Belgium?
“(Laughs) I’ve already had the chance to do it twice in the Bundesliga, it would be crazy to do it again. That said, in Germany they say that good things always come three times. ”
It was in November 2021. You scored a goal with a 66-meter strike with Bochum against Hoffenheim. And two weeks later, you scored a 40-yard shot against Fribourg.
“Yes, it created a buzz in Germany at the time. I had given lots of interviews, even to Bild. The first, from 66 meters, was my very first goal in the Bundesliga. The emotion was incredible. The second was more important, it was to offer victory in the last minutes. Afterwards, don’t imagine that this is my specialty. I have a good shot and I always look where the opposing goalkeeper is but that doesn’t happen every day. ”
Shall we finish with a little quiz, Milos?
“With pleasure, I like it. ”
Three former Anderlecht players follow you on Instagram, which ones?
“Oh yes ? Peter Zulj, I know him well and I played with his brother in Bochum. But the others, I don’t see. ”
An African attacker.
“Silvere Ganvoula? Did he play for Anderlecht? Great guy, I was next to him in the locker room. I’m happy to see him in the Champions League with Bern today. And the third? ”
Luka Adzic.
“But yes, it’s fair. I played with him in U21 with Serbia when he was at Anderlecht. ”
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