Zoran Mirkovic, former coach of Partizan Belgrade, was the first to bet on Strahinja Pavlovic. The former Juventus and Atalanta right-back was interviewed by Tuttosport to discuss the excellent start of the defender's Rossoneri adventure.
'A serious guy'...
"If I hadn’t thrown him into the arena, someone else would have. I immediately noticed that he was a serious guy, eager to work and improve. He has always had a lot of quality, in addition to being physically well-built. Over the years, he has become stronger and gained more experience. And now here he is in Milan.”
Strahinja Pavlovic already had confidence at the age of 18:
"He was already a smart kid, without any fear. His second game was against Red Star. He was young, but overall, he still is. Now, as soon as he adjusts to Italian football, he will prove himself even more. I’m sure he can only improve. He starts from an important base, he’s strong, fast, wants to become stronger, and has always had an incredible desire to win since he was promoted from the Primavera.”
He continued to talk about Strahinja Pavlovic:
"For Pavlovic, joining the Rossoneri is a big step in his career, as Milan is among the best teams in the world. But the Rossoneri have also made a great deal with him. The player’s potential is really high; he could become one of the strongest defenders in the world in the coming years. Of course, he will first need to adapt to Serie A, which is different from Austrian football. But with a bit of patience, he will reach top levels."
A comparison:
"He’s a left-footer, so I would say Chiellini. But he also has something of Stam and Vidic. He’s a mix of strong players, that’s for sure."
Immediate starter:
"I know his character and mentality; I had no doubts."
Who should be Strahinja Pavlovic's partner?:
"This could spark a nice discussion. I think it’s important to create a pair of central defenders who understand each other instantly. We talked about Chiellini; think about how strong he was with Bonucci. Pavlovic needs to have the same mindset and goals as his teammate."
