Slovenian Josip Iličič made his European Championship debut against England – a special moment that seemed unimaginable at the beginning of the qualification for this tournament.
Two years ago, Josip Iličič’s career was almost over. At least at the time, it was assumed that he would no longer be seen in top European football. Iličič had been absent from his club Atalanta Bergamo for several months for the second time. Not because of injury, but because of depression. His contract was terminated by mutual consent.
A somewhat unreal playmaker
But now he’s back. On Tuesday evening against England (0-0), Iličič stands on the sidelines, wearing the blue Slovenian national jersey with the number 26 on his body, and applauds his teammate Benjamin Sesko as he trots off the field. He gives them a high five and then jogs onto the field. He looks serious, which is what we know from him.
The 36-year-old’s steps are those of an old athlete. But the man who is stepping onto the European Championship stage is still one of the most talented players at the tournament in Germany. A player who is known as “The streets won’t forget”. A great technician. Not successful enough to be included in the hall of fame of this sport, but so unique that he will be remembered. Also because he comes across as a little unreal, with his slightly hunched posture, his legs actually too stubby for the delicate feints and ball caresses that his feet can perform.
Foursome in the Champions League
Just four years ago, Iličič was the star of one of the most exciting European teams. The attacking midfielder scored 21 goals in all competitions for Atalanta Bergamo in the 2019/20 season. In March 2020, he scored four goals in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Valencia, having already scored once in the first leg. Iličič was in the form of his life.
His coach at the time, Gian Piero Gasperini, later said in an interview with “Sky Italia” that his protégé was one of the best players in Europe during this phase. The Slovenian was “perhaps even a candidate for the Ballon d’Or” at the time.
Special relationship: Josip Iličić (right) arm in arm with coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
Corona awakens Iličič’s demon
But March 2020 also marks the beginning of a time when a demon regains power over Iličič. The corona pandemic hits Bergamo hard. Images of military transporters full of coffins are circulating around the world. Iličič is also infected with the virus. Worse, however, is that the situation seems to trigger an old fear in him.
Two years earlier, Iličič’s former teammate Davide Astori, the captain of AC Florence, had died. A cardiac arrest at the age of 31, Astori simply didn’t wake up one morning. Months later, when the fans of both teams clapped in the 13th minute (Astori’s shirt number) at the match between Florence and Bergamo, Iličič burst into tears on the pitch. Astori was said to have been a good friend.
Later, in an interview with the newspaper “Corriere dello Sport”, Iličič said that after Astori’s death, he was afraid to go to sleep for a long time. He thought about Astori and feared death. Perhaps this fear was reawakened by the corona pandemic. In any case, when the ball rolled again after a short break, Iličič was no longer the same.
Last international match of 2021 for now
Atalanta prepared for the Champions League quarter-final match against Paris Saint-Germain without him. The team’s star was in a clinic during this time. The exact diagnosis was not made public, but his teammate Papu Gómez later said that this was the first phase of depression. It was definitely the beginning of his suffering.
“I visited him in the clinic a week before the game. He had lost about ten or twelve kilos. It was incredible, I could pick him up and pull him up like a doll,” said coach Gasperini in his interview with “Sky Italia”. “I said: come on, Josip, come with us to Lisbon,” said Gasperini, then tears welled up in his eyes. Josip Iličič had led Atalanta to the final tournament of the Champions League, but he missed it.
The following season, the Slovenian played again and even played well. But the demons came back. In November 2021, Iličič played his last international match for Slovenia for the time being, and in January his last league match for Bergamo for the time being. This time he was officially absent due to depression. On the last matchday of the season, he was substituted on again, and in August his contract was terminated.
Gasperini wished him “a new life”
Iličič’s farewell at the stadium in Bergamo was moving. Coach Gasperini, who is said to have a very good relationship with Iličič, said: “He is a great part of our club’s history. I wish him only the best.” Gasperini hoped that his protégé would continue playing football somewhere. “Then a new life can begin for him,” said Gasperini.
Two months later, Iličič celebrated his comeback. In the Slovenian league with NK Maribor. He was clearly not in full shape. And even more clearly, technically he was far too good for the league in his home country. The veteran player moved across the field like an ex-professional years after his career in a regional league. Much slower than his opponents, but far too confident on the ball to be stopped. Since January, Iličič has scored five goals and provided eight assists in 16 games.
“I was missing a finish line like this”
He only returned to the national team for the European Championship. He made his comeback in June, in the last preparation games before the European Championship. He immediately scored the winning goal against Armenia. Iličič made it into the squad and chose the number “26”. The last number in the squad, as a sign that it was not he, but the other players who had qualified for this tournament.
The 83rd international match for Slovenia was his first at a major tournament. After being substituted against England, he spoke to only a few media outlets. Interviews are not Iličič’s favorite pastime. He did say something in Italian, on “Sky Italia.” It’s not that he wants to stop now, said Iličič, “but I was missing a finish line like this one, to be able to say that I gave everything to be able to experience a game like this with such a result.”
On Monday (9 p.m., live stream), Slovenia will play against Portugal in the first European Championship round of 16 in its national team history. Josip Iličič will be there – and that is one of the best stories of this tournament.
