Recap
Petrovac begin their domestic campaign looking to put behind them the disappointment of their Conference League elimination as they welcome Bokelj in the opening round of the Montenegrin First League.
Alongside Mornar, Petrovac are expected to be among the main challengers to reigning champions Sutjeska after demonstrating last season that they possess the quality to compete with the league’s strongest sides. Although the departure of leading scorer Adnan Bašić (27/9) is a notable loss, the club moved swiftly in the transfer market to reinforce the squad. The arrivals of Dečić duo Trimror Selimi – last season’s leading scorer and top assist and Robert Gjelaj, together with Vuk Striković, should provide the quality and depth needed to sustain another title challenge.
Bokelj, enter the new season with far more modest ambitions. Along with Jezero, they secured their top-flight status only through the relegation play-offs last season, making survival their primary objective once again. The summer has done little to strengthen their prospects, with several key players departing – Mugoša (38/4), Radunović (34/5), Čuković (26/0), Bumbar (26/0), Janketić (23/2), Kordić (19/2), Nurković (13/0) and Kokkinis (9/0). Replacing so much experience and quality will be a difficult task, particularly in the early stages of the campaign.
Petrovac have consistently been a formidable side on home soil and with greater squad quality, higher ambitions and Bokelj still adapting after a significant summer overhaul, the hosts appear well placed to begin the new season with all three points.