Velibor VASOVIĆ | 1964-1971

[Plava Čigra]

Stats by Plava Čigra (with some help from coolactive)

Nickname: "Vaske"



Club: Partizan Belgrade (1964/1966) | AFC Ajax (1966/1971)



Growth type: Standard


INFO:

Velibor Vasović (born October 3, 1939 in Požarevac - died March 4, 2002 in Belgrade) was a footballer.

He transferred to Ajax Amsterdam after he had lost 2-1 to Real Madrid with Partizan Belgrade in European Champions Cup (scoring the only goal for his team). He did the same (4-1 loss to AC Milan, scoring from the spot) in 1969 final, before leading Ajax as captain to a 2-0 victory over Panathinaikos in 1971 final.

Vasović's career was relatively short. He only played 13 professional seasons due to the asthmatic condition he was suffering from.

He played 5 seasons for the Dutch giants (1966-1971) and was the first foreign captain in club's history. Before that he spent many years at Partizan, and even spent a half-season (January '63 to June '63) playing for arch rivals Red Star Belgrade.

He played 32 games for Yugoslavia national football team.


Post-football career

After ending his career as a player in 1971, he coached FK Partizan (second part of 1971/72 season, full 1972/73, and the first part of 1973/74) and Paris St. Germain (first part of 1976/77 and the first part of 1978/79 seasons) before returning home to Belgrade and working as a lawyer. He died in 2002, at the age of 62.

Vasović was one of the strongest and most persistent critics of the Yugoslav FA, especially FA president Miljan Miljanić. His criticism particularly intensified after the breakup of SFR Yugoslavia.

On October 10, 2000, 5 days after the overthrow of Milošević's regime in Serbia, Vasović and about a dozen bodyguards broke into the FA offices. It was not clear what exactly he was hoping to achieve, although the widely circulated unofficial story was that he attempted to use the post-overthrow chaos and confusion in order to gain an upper hand on the expected FA leadership change.

***

What stood out most about Vasović - and it is a trait possessed by the game's greatest sweepers - is a confidence that not only bordered on arrogance it actively invaded and settled there. In his more subdued moments he claimed to be the central architect behind the totaalvoetbal philosophy, but it is undeniable that his pace and intelligence allowed Michels to implement the ruthlessly efficient offside trap that became a hallmark of Ajax's defensive strategy.

Source: http://www.independent.co.uk

***

Vasović was the best (and the most complete) libero/centre-half/defensive midfielder Partizan Belgrade ever had. He had excellent understanding of the game, being always in the right place at the right time, combined with his natural talent as a defender. Although he was a defender, in his younger days he worked on his technique and passing, and improved in those segments of the game as well. Vasović was always among the leaders on the field, a player who could (when there's a need for that) push his team up to the limit and lead them to the victory.


VIDEOS:


(magnificent header at 4:00-4:15)


(fantastic lob from an awkward angle at 1:08-1:16)


ADDITIONAL LINKS:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velibor_Vasovi%C4%87

http://www.reprezentacija.rs/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1605&Itemid=12

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/dream-teams-ajax-1641667.html?action=Popup&ino=3

http://www.vreme.com/cms/view.php?id=309326

[yourigo]

He was a player who understood the game perfectly, always on the right place, in the right time.

even considering this statement, i think defense value is overrated, taking into acount that he was mainly a DMF, and could also play as CMF. With this value he becomes the best midfielder ever at defense, other than beckenbauer of course, but beckenbauer was a legend, a god of football (who is btw overrated in defence imo). It isn't fair for rijkaard for example to have vasovic over him in defence, rijkaard was second only to beckenbauer in the DMF position. And there are of course other players you can compare vasovic with who were exceptional and are currently under vasovic: hierro, positional genious, claude makelele, who, more then any other DMF, really was in the right place at the right time and many others.

on the other hand, i think response should go up. A player who is described as being in the right place at the right time is a player with great reading of the game, great smartness, and although 86 is already very good, i think it could be 88, between rijkaard and hierro

i sugest defense 85, just under rijkaard and response 88, just over rijkaard

[HFClub]

Looks like an impressive technical defensive player, representing the good old yugoslavian school. Keep creating these interesting players, and maybe now some more Red Star legends.

Greetingz

[Plava Čigra]

Thanks for both comments, I really appreciate it. In time I will try to create a few of Red Star (Crvena Zvezda) legends like, Rajko Mitic, Vladimir Beara...

@yourigo

Well, here goes. First thing you've got to remember is, that during his career in Partizan there weren't tactical finesses like, midfield players. There were only Attack and Defense, and he played in Defense. Don't get me wrong, he did join Attack, but he was primary, with Rasovic and Jusufi, Defence leader. This player was very important for Partizan in those days. So important. in fact, that when he moved to Red Star Belgrade in 1963/1964 season (due to some arguments with club administration and directors), Partizan lost the title in domestic league (before that Partizan won two titles in a row, and after Vasovic re-joined in 1964/1965, they won the title in domestic league again). That shows how important player Vasovic was in Partizan's Defense (Rasovic and Jusufi were very important, but Vasovic was most complete player of all 3). So I think that his value in this segment shouldn't go down.

Now on Response and other values. The thing is, that, when I was making this player, I was maybe too cautious, because I didn't want to overrate him in any segment (especially when coolactive pointed to me the Abilities of other players). I was hoping that somebody have the knowledge about this player, and that somebody would suggest raise in most areas. In my opinion he deserves raise in quite a few segments (especially in his passing abilities), but until I find somebody who agrees with me (and knows the player), I won't be raising it.

[yourigo]

thanks for clearing that up . i'd sugest you make cb his main position though, to avoid more confusion.

[Plava Čigra]

I've come to some new information from a couple of sources (all those source agree in this information). So according to that I've made a couple of changes.

Abilities:

Defence: 90 > 94 - It's come to my attention that he really was excellent in tackling and positioning in defence.

Balance: 84 > 88 - Even tougher player then I realized. There were only a few attackers who could get pass him or try to play on strength in 1-on-1 duels.

Technique: 88 < 82 - I've got information from several sources that he really had good Technique, but not that good. I think he should be bellow Maldini and Baresi, definitely.

Mentality: 90 > 92 - Never-say-die attitude. Truly remarkable player. His commitment is astonishing.

Team Work: 90 > 93 - One of the greatest team leaders in the history of the game. Very charismatic player, true leader on the field who had great understanding of his teammates movement. Ajax coach, Rinus Michels, recognized Vasović as great team leader and promoted him to captain, as soon as Vasovic learned how to speak Dutch. He was first foreign captain in Ajax history. Teammates, both in Ajax and Partizan, always respected him as a true team leader, and always listened to his advices during the match.

***

Condition: 7 > 8 - He rarely missed games, almost never.

Weak Foot Accuracy: 6 < 5

Weak Foot Frequency: 6 < 5

***

Removed Special Abilities:

*Tactical Dribbling (he was pretty solid, technical player but because of the info, I think he doesn't deserve this Special Ability)


Added Special Abilities:

*Sliding (he constantly used Sliding Tackle during the game)

[Jokeer]

Change the photo, it's not Vasovic but Jean-Michel Larqué ...

Vasovic : http://www.leksikon-yu-mitologije.net/files/676-velibor_vasovic.jpg

Larqué : http://s.psg.fr/psg/image/article/illustration_s/g/216/43089.jpg

[Plava Čigra]

I wanted to post his picture in color and I thought that was his picture as PSG coach, but obviously I was wrong.

Thank you for correcting me.

[Sekularac]

In terms of TS,ACC and TEC he was not better than Vidic who seats on 77, 76, 76 respectively. I'd lower him in this segments( aswell I'd improve Vidic).

[Plava Čigra]

I respect your opinion, but I would like to hear one more person (maybe Rubedo), who watched Vasovic's games, before I change those parameters.

In my opinion, Vasovic had better Technique and he was faster then Vidic (Vasovic is more versatile player then Vidic; he could play in midfield as well), but if somebody else (who watched some Vasovic's matches) agrees with you, I will change those parameters .

[Rubedo]

His TS, ACC, and TEC are fine as they are, although I could agree with increasing Vidić's speed. He really isn't that slow. On the other hand, Vasović should definitely get higher numbers for his Response. He was renowned for being very intelligent, both on, and off the field (a well-known lawyer, and famous for his witty statements).

I'll just copy some stuff.

In that time Vasovic had become the first non-Dutchman to captain Ajax; he had also laid out the blueprint for how to play the position of libero, or sweeper, in the modern game.

What stood out most about Vasovic - and it is a trait possessed by the game's greatest sweepers - is a confidence that not only bordered on arrogance it actively invaded and settled there. In his more subdued moments he claimed to be the central architect behind the totaalvoetbal philosophy, but it is undeniable that his pace and intelligence allowed Michels to implement the ruthlessly efficient offside trap that became a hallmark of Ajax's defensive strategy.

[Plava Čigra]

It's definite, I'm not changing TS, ACC and/or TEC (I also think Vidic deserves higher values in Speed area, maybe 1-2 points behind Vasovic).

I first thought giving Vasovic 90-92 for Response, but because a few people from PSD told me that, in their opinion, he can't be that good in so many areas, I've compromised (in order not to overrate this player). Rubedo suggest your value for Response.

[Rubedo]

Compromise would be to decrease his DEF to, let's say, 92, while increasing his RES.

[Plava Čigra]

Suggest the Response value (when Defence would be decreased at 92).

[Rubedo]

93 or 94. Maybe giving him 93 for both DEF and RES?

[Plava Čigra]

Ok. I agree with 93 for Defence and Response.

I will update values during the next 2-3 days (in case somebody else has better suggestion). If somebody doesn't agree, please argument your opinion and suggest values.

***

Updated.

Defence: 93,

Response: 93.

[Plava Čigra]

After a bit more researching and comparing, I've updated his stats a bit and added a new format.

***

Removed *Centre from Special Abilities. Added *Marking to Special Abilities.

Abilities update:
Attack: 68>70,
Dribble Speed: 79<78,
Short Pass Accuracy: 80>82,
Short Pass Speed: 79>81,
Long Pass Accuracy: 80>81,
Long Pass Speed: 83<82,
Shot Power: 82>84,
Shot Technique: 79<76,
Free Kick Accuracy: 74<72
Curling: 72>74
Jump: 85>89
Aggression: 77>78.

+

Added new Cards:
P10: Box to Box
P18: Extra Attacker
S01: Reaction
S07: Man Marking
S08: Slide Tackle
S09: Covering
S10: DF Leader

Attack/Defence Awareness Card: Balanced

[SpongeBob]

Could he have PK-taker in special abilities? I watched few times EC '69 final Milan-Ajax and he took the penalty although there
were other stars (Cruyff,Keizer,Swart etc.):
I think he also scored from penalty in another EC final when Partizan lost to Real, it was in '64 or '65, don't remember anymore.

[zguc]

It was the final 1966. Real Madrid - Partizan 2:1, Vasović scored goal with his head for 1-0 lead Partizan ...

[SpongeBob]

Sorry then, I've never watched that game. But when we defeated Ajax he calmly converted penalty.