Montenegro lose Hakšabanović ahead of Armenia matches as two more players suffer injuries

Montenegro have suffered several personnel losses ahead of the start of the UEFA Nations League. Malmö winger Sead Hakšabanović will miss the upcoming international window due to a tendon injury, including both matches against the Armenian national team.

Armenia and Montenegro will meet in Yerevan on September 28, with the return fixture scheduled for October 5 in Podgorica.

Hakšabanović was initially included in Montenegro’s squad. After Mirko Vučinić was appointed head coach, he returned to the national team and showed in friendly matches that he could become an important part of the revamped side.

The 27-year-old has made 36 appearances for Montenegro. His absence deprives the team of one of its most experienced and creative players on the attacking flanks.

“Hakšabanović worries me the most. It appears that he has a tendon problem. I don’t think he will be ready for the first match, while his participation in the second and third games is also in doubt,” Vučinić said before the player’s absence was confirmed.

Ražnatović also ruled out

Left-back Andrija Ražnatović will also miss the upcoming matches because of injury. Following his setback, the coaching staff promoted Polish club Raków defender Marko Perović from the Montenegro U21 squad.

Milan Latković has also experienced health problems, although Montenegro hope he will be able to resume training in the coming days.

Another experienced player, Adam Marušić, was left out of the original squad due to injury. Vučinić’s team will therefore begin their Nations League campaign without several players who had been considered important options for the starting line-up.

Following all the changes, the coaching staff now have 26 players at their disposal.

Four matches in ten days

Montenegro will play four matches in the space of ten days. They will begin their campaign at home against Cyprus on September 25, before travelling to face Armenia and Latvia. The international window will conclude with the return match against Armenia in Podgorica.

According to Vučinić, the congested schedule means that most of the players called up are likely to receive playing time.

“We face a serious workload—four matches in ten days. However, our opponents are in the same situation. Right now, the first match is the most important thing for me, and after that we will take it game by game. I think almost everyone will get an opportunity to play,” the coach said.

Vučinić stressed that he would not use the personnel problems as an excuse.

“Other national teams face similar difficulties as well. I am not used to complaining. I am happy with the players who are here and I believe in these guys,” the coach stated.

Montenegro’s absences are particularly significant for Armenia. The visitors will be without one of their most experienced and unpredictable wide players for both head-to-head matches, while Ražnatović’s injury has further reduced Vučinić’s options on the left side of defence.

However, Armenia are also dealing with a lengthy injury list. Defenders Kamo Hovhannisyan, Styopa Mkrtchyan and Edgar Grigoryan, midfielders Hovhannes Harutyunyan, Vahan Bichakhchyan and David Davidyan, as well as forwards Finn Geragusian and Grant-Leon Ranos, will miss the upcoming matches.

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