Strengthened by the contract that will bind him to the red and white colors in the 2024/25 competitive season, the opposite Petar Dirlic wants to put his power at the service of Cucine Lube Civitanova with the aim of relaunching itself and helping the Club lay the foundations for a new cycle winning. In the aftermath of the announcement, the Croatian striker, now working with his country’s national team, granted himself a first interview as a chef to make himself known to the Marche fans.
Lube 2024/25 has chosen to have two top-level players on the roster. What are your feelings?
Dirlic: “Having determined players with good potential in the team can prove decisive in maintaining an ideal pace in training. Adis is a very strong player and this year I am convinced that he will perform at excellent levels. I will give my best. There will be no ‘battles’ between us, but brotherhood, the good of the team will always come first and we will push to improve each other thanks to the support of two talented and different setters!”.
How did your love for volleyball begin?
“Men’s volleyball is not very popular in Croatia, there are other more popular disciplines. I liked it at school, I grew taller and started as a central defender and then changed roles and became a permanent opposite.”
Your history as a center back explains your excellent timing on the block.
“I feel very solid and confident in that fundamental. If we remove the central defenders, I think I have been among the most effective in recent years as a blocker. I work to improve myself on all fronts. I want to grow in serve and high ball attack, while I already have significant certainties in the transition attack. I want to find the best possible feeling with the two red and white setters.”
You have already participated in the Challenge Cup, can it hide any pitfalls?
“I’ll start by saying that the way I am, I want to win any championship or cup match, regardless of the importance of the trophy or the strength of the opponents. Those who are used to playing the Champions League will perhaps experience different emotions, I only played two seasons in that tournament. We cannot afford to think about the Challenge with an air of smugness, it will be essential to face the European events seriously because Poland and Turkey produce very competitive teams. In Milan we realized in the CEV Cup how treacherous these tournaments are, you have to give 100%!”.
