Dynamo’s new signing, Zvjezdan Misimovic, believes this year could be the one in which the Moscow team can finally make a serious challenge for the Russian Premier League title.
Zvjezdan Misimovic was born in Munich and developed through the youth team of local side Bayern, before graduating to the team proper and winning his first Bundesliga title in 2003.
However the Bosnian Serb played just three matches for the German powerhouse before leaving the club.
Spells at Bochum and Nuremberg would follow, with Misimovic finally settling at Wolfsburg, and alongside his compatriot Edin Dzeko and Grafite from Brazil, leading the Wolves to an inaugural league title in 2009.
That season he was considered one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe. However in 2010, the playmaker left the club for Galatasaray of Turkey where he made only nine appearances. A falling-out with manager, Georgie Hagi, led him to Dynamo Moscow.
“It’s a big club – a traditional club in Russia, with big ambitions. I spoke with Kevin Kuranyi and he told me all the best. They have a fantastic base here and want to win something in the future,” Misimovic said.
Misimović played for the Yugoslav under-18 national squad, where he lined out with Nemanja Vidić and Danko Lazović.
And despite his German place of birth, the 29-year-old midfielder plays for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is the most-capped player in the state’s history. And like many Serbs who play in Russia he feels comfortable here.
“I’m very happy to play in this league… I was born in Germany, but my parents are from Bosnia and Herzegovina. I’m Orthodox like the Russian people. So for me it’s no big problem,” he said.
Dynamo sit third in the premier league at the moment and can boast a six-match winning streak. And with the likes of Andrey Voronin, Kevin Kuranyi and Russian international Igor Semshov, it is where the team believe they belong.
“We are now in third position and I hope we’ll stay on this position. We must save this. For most of my career I played international games in Europe and I hope we’ll make a step this year with Dynamo to play next year in Europa League and maybe in Champions League,” the 29-year-old explained.
Dynamo have one of the best forward units in the league and despite the fact that Misimovic has still to nail down a place in the attack, the double Bundesliga medal holder is aiming to become an ace up the Blue-and-Whites’ sleeve as Dynamo push for a first Russian championship.