Tractors, Bunkers, a two-time refugee; the remarkable rise of Milos Degenek

As Red Star Belgrade prepare to face the likes of Mo Salah, Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino under the lights at Anfield on Wednesday, defender Milos Degenek has taken time to reflect on just how much he has overcome to be able to represent his home town side on a night such as this. 

"Twice we lost everything and had to start life again. I'm from here but technically I'm not from here either", the defender told 'BBC Sports' in an interview ahead of his side's huge clash in England this week. 

Originally born in Knin, a Croatian town which was recognised as part of the Republic of Serbian Krajina, but having also lived in Serbia itself for a short while. Degenek's family were forced to flee both countries before he turned six years of age.

The family would eventually settle in Australia, where the player grew up.  Degenek now represents Australia at international level, although he feels at home in Belgrade, playing his club football for Red Star, the current Serbian champions.

On his decision to represent the 'Socceroos' instead of his native Serbia, Degenek said: ""I'm from here [Serbia] but technically I'm not from here either. I was born in Croatia, although it was then Yugoslavia which doesn't exist anymore.I spent most of my life in Australia - it gave us most of what we have. I'm grateful for everything Australia did for me, that's why I'm proud to be an Australian and play for Australia."

 

October 15, 2018

Despite only living in Serbia for a combined total of 4 years, he has always remained an avid supporter of Red Star. 

Degenek discussed his love for Red Star, explaining: "Not just me, but my whole family. The village we were from, everyone was a Red Star supporter. That runs in the family. My whole family support Red Star and hopefully my kids will one day too."

He continued: "In about 2002, Red Star came to Sydney for a game so I went and watched that. Pretty much every day [in Australia] I'd go on the Red Star website and they'd throw up videos of their training sessions."

 

July 5, 2018

And so, when the club came calling this summer, there was no hesitation from Degenek to accept the move to play for his favourite team. 

He spoke of his reasons for taking the move, saying: ""I was in Japan - far away from my family. I love the country but this was more 'I want to be happy again and make my dreams come true. Now I'm back here - it's home but it's away from home. It's kind of mixed feelings. But the good thing is my family are here - my parents and my brother are here. That makes life easier. My football and psychologically, it helps me in all sorts of ways."

Red Star, European Champions in 1992b reached the group stages of the Champions League for the first time in 25 years this season. Their reward; an almost impossible group pairing with Liverpool, PSG and Napoli. 

 

October 22, 2018

However Degenek is not perturbed by the quality of the opposition, and insists that Red Star will give their all in the competition this season, saying: "When you put in the history and fans, what this club has done and what it stands for, it's unbelievable. We play with heart. We don't play for the money, we play for the respect. When I walk down the street, we only get positive vibes."

Deganek and his teammates' next fixture in the competition is an away trip to Anfield to face Liverpool; where they will be looking to upset the odds, in order to build on their tally of 1 point so far, which they achieved with a creditable home draw with Napoli on matchday 1.