FK Željezničar: Antalya Preparations and Key Squad Changes (Winter 2026)

FK Željezničar Sarajevo completed the main phase of their winter preparations in Antalya, Turkey, where the team focused on physical conditioning, tactical organisation and integrating new signings ahead of the second part of the season. The training camp represented a crucial period for stabilising the squad and setting clearer on-field principles.

Training Camp in Antalya

Željezničar arrived in Antalya in mid-January and spent nearly two weeks working in high-quality conditions. The coaching staff used this period to increase training intensity, improve defensive compactness and test various tactical options through friendly matches.
Special attention was given to team structure without the ball, pressing organisation and faster transitions, areas identified as priorities ahead of competitive matches. The Antalya camp also allowed the staff to give minutes to new players and assess their adaptation to the team’s style of play.

Friendly Matches

During the Antalya preparations, Željezničar played several friendly matches against international opponents, using these games primarily as performance tests rather than result-oriented fixtures.

Željezničar vs Novi Pazar – 1:0

In their first friendly match, Željezničar secured a narrow victory against Serbian side Novi Pazar. The match was characterised by a disciplined defensive display, while the winning goal came late in the game. This match also marked the debut appearances of Dominik Prokop and Bojan Nastić in a Željezničar shirt.

Željezničar vs Michalovce – 3:0

The second friendly saw a more dominant performance, with Željezničar controlling possession and tempo. The team showed improved attacking cohesion and efficiency, scoring three goals while maintaining defensive stability.

Željezničar vs Sileks – 2:0

In another solid display, Željezničar recorded a clean-sheet victory against Macedonian side Sileks. The match highlighted better balance between defence and attack, with structured build-up play and improved movement in the final third.
Across these matches, Željezničar remained defensively solid, conceding no goals, which was one of the main positives from the Antalya camp.

Željezničar vs LZN Cherkasy 0:1

This game was very controversal ending on 85 minute, with a lot od Federer mistakes.

New Arrivals

The winter transfer window brought three targeted reinforcements, aimed at adding experience, balance and tactical discipline.

Dominik Prokop

The Austrian midfielder joined Željezničar during the winter break and immediately became part of the Antalya preparations. Prokop brings experience from Austrian football, positional intelligence and technical quality in midfield, offering greater control in possession and composure under pressure.

Bojan Nastić

Defender Bojan Nastić also joined the club in January. With experience at both club and international level, Nastić adds defensive reliability and leadership to the back line. His early involvement in friendly matches allowed the coaching staff to quickly integrate him into the defensive system.

Aleksa Pejić

Aleksa Pejić completed the trio of winter signings. A defensively-minded midfielder, Pejić was brought in to strengthen the central areas, add physical presence and improve protection in front of the defence. He joined the squad towards the latter part of the Antalya camp.
Together, these three signings were selected to address specific needs rather than make large-scale changes, reflecting a more controlled and focused transfer strategy.

Departures

The winter period also brought two notable departures from the squad.

Aleksandar Boljević

Aleksandar Boljević left Željezničar during the winter break, ending his spell at the club. His departure marked a significant change in the attacking options available to the team.

Dan Lagumdžija

Dan Lagumdžija also left the club as part of the winter squad reshaping. The decision was aligned with the club’s intention to streamline the roster and create space for new roles within the team.
While departures always represent a challenge, the club viewed these moves as necessary steps in redefining squad balance and responsibilities.

Overall Impression

Željezničar’s Antalya preparations can be assessed as structured and productive. The team showed defensive consistency in friendly matches, improved tactical discipline and a clear effort to integrate new players into defined roles.
The arrivals of Prokop, Nastić and Pejić indicate a focus on experience, stability and positional responsibility, while the departures of Boljević and Lagumdžija signal a willingness to make difficult decisions in pursuit of a more balanced squad.

The Antalya camp provided Željezničar with a solid platform ahead of the competitive challenges to come, with emphasis placed on organisation, cohesion and collective responsibility rather than short-term results.