The Blue-and-White coach Federico Bessone, ahead of the first home match of the season against Lokomotiva, emphasized that the team is ready, that the fans are not pressure but motivation, and that the ambition is to play European qualifiers next summer.
After two wins at the start of the season, NK Osijek is once again the main story in the city on the Drava. At Opus Arena, ahead of the regular press conference on Thursday, August 13, 2026, fans patiently stood in two rows in front of the ticket offices, eagerly awaiting the first home match of the season against Lokomotiva. Coach Federico Bessone made it clear that his team feels not pressure but excitement.
"I don't think the players will be nervous ahead of the first home match of this season. We're looking forward to it; that's what we wanted. My first message upon arriving was that we want to bring the fans back to the stands. We're excited about the first home game of the season, and I'm sure the fans will support us no matter what happens. It won't be pressure but motivation to be even better," said Bessone.
The Argentine coach on the Osijek bench highlighted a key change compared to the last two seasons. "It's clear that we've changed the players' mentality. We had talent and quality; what was missing was a strong mentality. A tough match awaits us, and then we'll see where we stand. I'm pleased with what I see because I knew this team had potential, that it's full of hungry young players who bite and want to prove themselves in top-flight football," Bessone told Sportske novosti.
Ahead of the clash with Lokomotiva, Bessone warned that the opponent should not be underestimated. "They're in good form. I've watched both of their matches; I like how they play, they have a strong personality, and they're dangerous in transition. If we want to win, we have to stay focused for all 90 minutes. Maybe we were more convincing than them in the previous two rounds, but the table shows we have the same number of points, so we can't afford any complacency."
The Osijek coach also touched on the squad situation ahead of the transfer deadline. "We're aware of the situation. There's interest, but no concrete offers. The players are fully committed and focused on Osijek, which is evident on the pitch. We're happy as long as they're with us, and when an offer comes, we'll sit down and see if it's good for the club," he explained.
Asked whether Osijek can return to the top four teams in the league and play European qualifiers next summer, Bessone did not hide his ambitions. "I don't know where we'll finish; it's hard to predict, but we'll try to finish as high as possible. We'll work hard to convince ourselves and the fans that we can do it... I won't lie to you, I'm ambitious and I hope we can play European qualifiers next summer. If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't be here. I don't want to put pressure on myself, the players, or anyone at the club, but that's what we want. But I want to go step by step; we've only played two matches. We'll give our all and fight to finish as high as possible."
Bessone also revealed that he can't wait for his first match as a coach in front of the Opus Arena crowd. "For me, it's incredible to play in front of home fans. This is the perfect opportunity for the players to show what they can do. We're playing at home; it couldn't be a better moment. We're on a good run, and the fans are excited after what we've shown in the first two matches. I can't wait to see a full stadium. As a player, I performed in front of 35,000-40,000 spectators, and I loved those moments and that atmosphere. Now, as a coach, I want to experience that feeling of a full stadium again."
He also wrapped up the story about preparations at Opus Arena, which proved to be a perfect decision. "Let me clear one thing up right away-we had the choice to stay or prepare elsewhere. They asked me if we should go somewhere else for preparations or not. I decided we'd stay because there's no need to prepare anywhere else; we have everything here: pitches, perfect nutrition... I also spoke with the captain to ask the players, because I want them to be happy, and they agreed with me that it's best to stay in Osijek. The team is ready, satisfied, happy, has a good mentality, and the most important thing is that we continue working like this."
