Defensive ace Cvetkovic

“Rapid is big – but the appetite is growing!”

Nenad Cvetkovic is fit and ready to fight at Grün-Weiß ++ He has to show his true strength for the title dream!

I'm hungry, I'm looking forward to soccer and the atmosphere in Hütteldorf. The many games in the fall were difficult for my head, but my battery is full, I'm fit." The medical check, with which Rapid will be the last Bundesliga team to start their preparations this weekend, was just a formality for Nenad Cvetkovic. Despite a planning error on vacation: "I thought the break would be shorter," laughs the Serbian. "That's why I didn't book anything special." Nothing with sun, beach and sea - Cvetkovic "only" relaxed at home.

"Only Chelsea and Fiorentina are out of reach!"
Just like a year ago, when the defender was still struggling with a torn cruciate ligament. The 29-year-old is all the more satisfied with 2024: "I had no problems, stayed injury-free." He takes a realistic view of Rapid's season: "We suffered a lot in the league, but we're better than third place." Add to that the embarrassing Cup exit - Cvetkovic: "If we played Stripfing 20 times now, we'd win 20 times." Too late ...

Nenad Cvetkovic(Bild: GEPA Pictures, APA/Picturedesk)

Instead, the journey through Europe continues, (initially) in March with the last 16 of the Conference League: "Only Chelsea and Fiorentina are out of reach, we can beat the rest," says the fan favorite with a view to the competition: "It's nice to dream - but we have to work hard for it."

He also sees potential in himself: "I haven't shown my true strength here yet - that's headers. I need to start scoring goals." The central defender has only scored once in 34 games for Rapid. With his foot against Shamrock Rovers.

Nenad Cvetkovic(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Headline in his head
It was a dream goal, one of many exclamation marks - he arrived from Israel as a "no-name" in the summer of 2023, and now he too is being talked about in the rumor mill. "That's normal," he (contract until 2026) knows the business. "But I see myself here now. Rapid is already big - but of course the appetite is growing. Everyone wants to challenge themselves again, once in a top five league."

Cvetkovic therefore understands if Sangare leaves: "But our goal must be to keep all the key players. We need a strong squad to keep up with Sturm." So that he can read his dream headline for 2025: "Rapid will be champions again after 17 years." A declaration of intent!