Maričić thrilled with Šotiček
Sportske novosti correspondent from Basel, Damir Maričić, followed Marin Šotiček's development and explains why the young winger now plays more freely and decisively than in Switzerland.
Sportske novosti correspondent from Basel, Damir Maričić, followed Marin Šotiček's development and explains why the young winger now plays more freely and decisively than in Switzerland.
The young Croatian international Marin Šotiček has made an excellent impression in his first two matches for Hajduk, earning numerous praises. Now, Damir Maričić, the Sportske novosti correspondent from Basel, who closely followed his development at the Swiss club, has explained why the winger immediately looks better than he did in Basel.
Maričić, a former player for Hajduk, Dinamo, and Zagreb, regularly watched Šotiček's performances over the last two seasons and often spoke with him. He says that in Switzerland, Šotiček played with tension.
"I'm thrilled with how he's started at Hajduk. I spoke with him several times in Basel; it was as if he was playing with a knot in his stomach. I told him: 'Be a bit more cheeky.' He has a very light step and is quick, but when he'd beat a player, he always seemed to be in two minds about whether to shoot or not. I'm really glad that now at Hajduk he's been shooting after creating space for himself," Maričić said for Sportske novosti.
Maričić also highlighted a particular moment that he especially liked. "Šego was shouting at him for not passing, which wasn't right or nice of him. I was really pleased that he didn't over-pass because that was exactly his problem in Basel. He'd often pass even when he should have shot. At Hajduk, I finally saw decisiveness in him."
After his club change, Maričić sent him a congratulatory message with advice: "Marin, you've come to a big and crazy club, I wish you all the best, be a bit more decisive in one-on-ones and shoot." Although he's not sure if Šotiček heeded his advice, he notes that he's played with a better attitude and more confidence than in Basel.
According to Maričić, Šotiček's stagnation in Basel was also influenced by coaching changes.
"His second coach was Ludovic Magnin, under whom he played a bit, but then Stephan Lichtsteiner arrived and it was as if he completely erased him. Marin lost his confidence, and it's good that he left, while Lichtsteiner is currently the top candidate for the sack in the Swiss league. Under him, he was third choice. That's why I'm so pleased with what he's done in Varaždin and Vilnius," Maričić explained.
Maričić drew an interesting parallel with Ivan Rakitić, given that Dinamo wanted Šotiček when he was leaving Lokomotiva, but a deal wasn't reached.
"Last year, journalist Slaven Alfirević called me and said he'd heard that Šotiček is a Hajduk supporter. After that, I spoke with him, and he told me that everyone in his family is a Dinamo fan. I could compare him to Rakitić in that Raketa's family is strictly Dinamo-oriented, and he ended up becoming a fervent Hajduk supporter," Maričić said.
Maričić concluded that Šotiček would have "burned out" in Basel if he had stayed because Lichtsteiner certainly wouldn't have played him. "I told him that in Split, everything positive is crazier than in Zagreb. Because of him, I went to Basel more times than I otherwise would have. He needs to work and play as much as possible. In Basel, it was as if he was in fear. He was shortchanged; he lacked someone to stand behind him. Adrian Leon Barišić helped him as much as he could while he was in Basel."
