Changing the coach after only three games initially didn’t do CSM any favours. Dragan Djukic took over from Magnus Johansson, but the Serbian coach needed time, highlighted by the shocking home loss to Kristianstad two weeks ago.
But meanwhile the players have responded well to his methods. The authority was restored after a heated exchange featuring Djukic and fellow Serbian line player Dragana Cvijic in a Romanian League game against Slatina, when the coach asked Cvijic to stop talking during a timeout and show grit and determination on the court.
“Against FTC was a ‘to be or not to be’ match for us, actually everything depended on this match. I am happy because of how we reacted to that, and I am happy because we played as a team,” Djukic said.
The well-travelled coach knows a thing or two about discipline and that is the main reason why he was chosen by CSM to replace Johansson.
After the victory in Hungary came the win against the German champion Bietigheim in the last game of the group phase of the Champions League. In the main round CSM is in the group with Gyor, Kristiansand, FTC, Thuringer and Crim.
Now, Djukic’s challenge is to ensure that CSM is more disciplined, and to create the team chemistry that the side badly needs.
It might be the toughest job Djukic has had in his entire career.
EHF
