Top scorer in Serbian D1 last season, Nikola Petkovic had to reinforce Chambly's attack. But the injury contracted to the right knee on August 8 in a friendly (2-2) against the Red Star (Nat) changed the situation. Victim of a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament with stage II sprain of the internal lateral ligament, to which must be added a suspicion of meniscal fissure, he will be operated in Paris on September 1 and should be unavailable for 8 months. In care a few meters from his training partners, the flagship rookie from Chambly confides.
How do you feel ?
NIKOLA PETKOVIC. I did not expect this, but it is life. It's football. I can't change the past, you have to accept it. I can only change the future. The club, my teammates and the staff help me a lot. I really appreciate. I will do everything to get back on the pitch as soon as possible and help the team.
Since this friendly match against the Red Star, you sometimes rethink this action, when you jump to avoid the tackle, which caused this injury?
Yes a lot. On landing, resting my foot on the ground, my knee moved right / left. I did not hear the crackle but I was in great pain.
What did you think?
At the time, I was frustrated. I said to myself: it is not possible . I couldn't believe this had happened to me. Of course it's possible. Everything is possible. This is my first big injury, I have never had an operation. This is the first time that I will go through such a long period without training and playing. It used to be something like 7 days, it's nothing, it's impossible to compare. But it is so.
After your injury, you said you were "sorry" ...
Yes, I am sorry for my family in Serbia. It's a shock to them. I'm sorry for Chambly too, and for all the people who made it possible for me to come here. It's difficult to be there (Editor's note: standing in front of the treatment room at the Gouvieux stadium, he watches his partners train further) and not on the ground. I'm sad. I can't wait to move on. I will come back mentally and physically stronger.
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You finished top scorer in Serbia two years in a row with your club FK Javor, first in D2 then in Serbian D1. The Partizan Belgrade coveted you ...
In Serbia, I did some good things. I thought it was the right time for me to go. I was ready. I wanted to make a name for myself abroad, score goals, make assists, have good results ...
"I wanted to do everything to be the top scorer in Ligue 2"
Why Chambly?
I heard that it is a family club and that there is a good atmosphere between the players, with the staff. I also had good feedback from Ligue 2: if you play well, you can climb a step and go to Ligue 1. I hope it will be with Chambly. My manager and my entourage told me it was a good decision to come here. Now, it doesn't look like (Editor's note: he looks at his right knee, smiling), but I think I made the right choice. I am happy to be here, I feel at home, I will come back stronger.
You signed a three-year contract with Chambly. What are your expectations with the club?
Personally, I wanted to do everything to be the top scorer in Ligue 2. But the priority is the club. I hope he will play in Ligue 1. I think it is possible. Chambly moved from the 14th Division to Ligue 2! There was also the Coupe de France (Editor's note: semi-finalist in 2018). I saw the summary of the quarter-final against Strasbourg (L1), it was an impressive atmosphere in the locker room after the match. Chambly has already shown that with him everything is possible.
