Montenegro Football Team Faces Heavy Defeat in Faroe Islands

Montenegro’s national football team experienced a disheartening defeat, losing 4-0 to the Faroe Islands on October 17, 2023. This loss raises significant questions about the team’s current state and future direction, especially following their narrow victory against the same opponent just months prior. The defeat, occurring on the North Atlantic archipelago, marks one of the lowest points in the team’s history, highlighting a troubling trend of poor performance.

The match at Tórsvøllur Stadium exposed the vulnerabilities within the squad. After narrowly defeating the Faroe Islands 1-0 in March, Montenegro faced a stark reality as they succumbed to a humiliating scoreline. This match was not only their second consecutive 4-0 loss—following a similar defeat to Croatia—but also marked their third game without scoring. The team has now gone nine matches without a win, raising alarm bells among fans and analysts alike.

Reflecting on the match, defender Stefan Savić, who captained the team in the absence of Stevan Jovetić, stated, “We must work much harder. The loss is painful, but let it serve as a lesson.” Savić emphasized that the team cannot blame external conditions, such as the challenging pitch and weather, for their performance.

New head coach Mirko Vučić, who succeeded Robert Prosinečki, faced criticism for not making substitutions during halftime, despite trailing 2-0. His decision-making and tactics came under scrutiny, especially as the team appeared to lack urgency and resilience after conceding the first goal. The formation he chose, 3-5-2, has been criticized as ill-suited for the current player roster, particularly in the absence of key player Adam Marušić.

The team’s struggles are not merely the result of one match; they reflect a broader crisis in Montenegrin football. The last two years have seen a steady decline, with the squad looking increasingly disorganized and demoralized. As Milutin Osmajić, a forward for Preston North End, noted, “We all need to improve our play. It’s disappointing for the new coach to debut in this way.”

The defeat against the Faroe Islands serves as a wake-up call for the Montenegrin football establishment. There is an urgent need for a comprehensive “reset” of the national team, focusing on rejuvenating the player pool and redefining their approach to the game. The players must understand their current position and not cling to unrealistic hopes of qualifying for major tournaments.

Despite the recent setbacks, some players remain optimistic. Marko Šimun, a midfielder for Sutjeska, expressed a desire to learn from the experience, stating, “There will be better days ahead. We just need to focus on rebuilding.”

Looking ahead, Montenegro will face Liechtenstein in a friendly match on October 30, followed by an important qualifier against Gibraltar in November. These upcoming fixtures are crucial for the team to regain confidence and potentially halt their streak of defeats.

Historically, Montenegro has faced significant challenges in international football. Their most severe loss occurred on November 14, 2019, when they were defeated 7-0 by England. A total of six matches have ended in 4-0 losses, including recent games against Croatia and the Faroe Islands.

As Montenegro prepares for its upcoming matches, the emphasis will be on correcting past mistakes and instilling a more competitive spirit within the team. The road to recovery will be long, but with determination and strategic changes, there remains hope for improvement in Montenegrin football.