Normally, Milos Veljkovic joins the summer pre-season slightly later. Since the 27-year-old has been playing for SV Werder, he has been on regular international duty with Serbia after the end of the season, making up for his holiday later. Due to calf problems, Veljkovic was ruled out for the international matches in June this year. “I was able to switch off and recover well during this time,” said the centre-back about his time off. “So I'm even more pleased that it’s starting again now.”
Milos Veljkovic used his holiday to catch his breath. With promotion, the World Cup and the long Bundesliga season behind him, it has been an exhausting few months. The Basel native spent the summer with his family in Switzerland, in Mallorca, and until recently, with his grandparents in Serbia. In between, our number 13 also enjoyed the sun in Barcelona with teammates Felix Agu, Eduardo dos Santos Haesler and Manule Mbom. “During the vacation, you always have to find the balance between family and friends,” said Veljkovic. “Even though we have had an intense season, I also wanted to do something with the boys for a few days. We had a good time.”
Despite the successful recovery, Veljkovic was also frustrated at not being able to help Serbia on the pitch in their European Championship qualifiers, of which he particularly looked forward to the meeting with teammate Ilia Gruev and Bulgaria. Veljkovic kept his fingers crossed for his team in front of the television, as they found an equaliser in injury time to make it 1-1, maintaining their position in the table that would earn qualification to the European Championship. “Bulgaria played very well, luckily we were able to level the game in the last minutes,” he said. “That’s why we were pleased with the result.”
Veljkovic said his was grateful for the understanding of those in the national team, so he could use the time to recover. He is looking forward to the new challenges after seeing the boys again, being on the pitch and having the ball at his feet. “I’m very pleased that I am part of the pre-season right from the start this year and not just joining in later,” he stressed. “This means I can go into the season in even better shape. I am very happy to see the boys again. I can be back in action again now.”
