After four months of injury absence, waiting, doubts and questions, Fiorentina finally has the real Josip Iličić. With his first goal in the "Viola" jersey, Iličić sent a clear message that bringing him into the squad was worth the payed 9 million euros.
In recent weeks there was much rumour on the Italian peninsula that Fiorentina would send the 25-year-old native of Kranj to one of the clubs fighting against relegation in the Seria A league. Rumours said the club would lend Iličić to one of the lower placed clubs, where he could try find his old form which charmed football Italy. But that won't be necessary now, as "Jojo" has returned to the big scene with a splendid goal and a season-best performance.
First goal dedicated to all those who supported him
"I hope the new season has just begun for me, although I'm still not 100% fit. I hope to improve my game even more and I am very happy with my goal. I'd like to thank my coach, my teammates and the fans, which have always stood by my side," said Iličić after the Fiorentina - Bologna (3:0) game, visibly happy and relieved. After 10 appearances and 267 minutes on the field, Iličić finally scored his maiden goal for Fiorentina.
Already in the 13th minute Iličić passed by two opposite defenders creating enough space for himself in the penalty area, to hit a left-foot shot to beat goalkeeper Gianluca Curci. That was the first goal for the "fantastic" Slovenian after exactly 231 days, when he last scored a goal playing for Palermo against Inter.
He would like to play in Maribor, but for Fiorentina
"Who do I dedicate this goal to? To everyone, really to everyone: the club, my coach, my teammates, fans, family and friends who stood by my side," said Slovenia's national team player who was more than happy with his performance. Fiorentina is currently 4th in Seria A. Iličić is also looking forward to the Europa league matches: "The draw? I hope we get Maribor – my former club from my home country."
Those in charge of the club didn't hide their delight with Iličić's performance. They had to cash out 9 million euros to Palermo last summer after month-long negotiations. "I am happy for Iličić, who scored an important goal. He has already strengthened our team," clearly stated the president of Fiorentina, Andrea Della Valle, who considers Iličić the club's first winter acquisition.
"Sarma" saves a penalty shot after 15 months
Slovenia's number one goalkeeper Samir Handanović was more or less powerless in Inter's defeat to Napoli (4:2), when he conceded four goals after sloppy defense from his teammates. An injury time penalty save to deny striker Goran Pandev could be considered a small
consolation. And although "Sarma" has a reputation of being a penalty specialist, a reputation he tries to downplay, it was his first saved penalty in almost 15 months. He last saved Bibras Natkho's penalty (FC Rubin Kazan) in the Europa league in September last year. In the meantime he conceded 10 goals from the penalty spot.
Oblak's debut appearance for Benfica in the national championship
Slovenia's second national team goalkeeper, Jan Oblak, had his debut for "The Eagles" this Sunday in first Portuguese league. Oblak came in as a substitute in the match against Olhanense, a team for which goalkeeper Vid Belec is a standard player. Oblak came in in the 68th minute after Benfica's first goalkeeper, Artur, injured his shoulder. The result, 2:3 for Benfica, remained unchanged untill the end. The 20-year-old native of Škofja Loka now has the opportunity to play in two more games until the end of the year, when the club will decide whether to lend him to another club.
Brečko scored the "legionary" goal of the year?
We will conclude the review of last week's performances of Slovenia's best players abroad with one of the most beautiful Slovenian "overseas" goals. The honour goes to Mišo Brečko. Previously the 29-year-old native of Trbovlje had to wait for a goal a good four years, however now the right side defender scored his 7th team goal in just 2 months. And what a goal it was! In the Slovenian derby in the 2nd Bundesliga Köln - Dynamo Dresden (3:1) the captain of "The Billy Goats", Brečko, sent a powerful strike from 25 meters in the 52nd minute. The ball flew over goalkeeper Benjamin Kirsten and found the net below the crossbar.

Iličić's maiden goal for Fiorentina

Brečko's precise shot and dream goal

Handanović saved Pandev's penalty shot