Antonio Milić Explained

Antonio Milić
Birth Date:1994 3, df=yes
Birth Place:Split, Croatia
Height:1.90 m
Position:Centre-back
Currentclub:Lech Poznań
Clubnumber:16
Youthyears1:2002–2011
Years1:2011–2015
Caps1:58
Goals1:7
Years2:2015–2018
Caps2:101
Goals2:9
Years3:2018–2020
Caps3:21
Goals3:0
Years4:2019–2020
Clubs4:Rayo Vallecano (loan)
Caps4:18
Goals4:0
Years5:2020–
Clubs5:Lech Poznań
Caps5:84
Goals5:6
Nationalyears1:2009–2010
Nationalteam1:Croatia U16
Nationalcaps1:8
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2010–2011
Nationalcaps2:11
Nationalgoals2:1
Nationalyears3:2013
Nationalcaps3:1
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2014–2015
Nationalcaps4:18
Nationalgoals4:3
Nationalyears5:2018
Nationalcaps5:3
Nationalgoals5:0
Club-Update:5 June 2024

Antonio Milić (pronounced as /hr/;[1] born 10 March 1994) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Polish club Lech Poznań.

Club career

Hajduk Split

A product of Hajduk Split academy, Krasimir Balakov handed Milić his first team minutes in the Croatian Cup match against Jadran Gunja but his first league appearance came off the bench on 26 November 2011, in a 2–1 win over Šibenik, aged just 17 years, 8 months and 16 days. He made only one other league appearances that season, also off the bench, but he made another two Cup appearances against Zagreb also. After manager Balakov left Hajduk, new manager Mišo Krstičević came to the Hajduk bench. Since Krstičević managed the Hajduk U-19 team before he knew how to use Milić for the next season. In June 2012 Antonio won the Croatian U-19 championship.

In the 2012–13 Prva HNL, he started as a first team regular. The team's manager, Mišo Krstičević, made Milić a much more stable member of the first team, often playing in the holding midfield role, but also playing as either a central defender or a central midfielder. He played a significant role in defeating Inter Milan 2–0 on San Siro in the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League. He showed great talent while playing in the Prva HNL, and many people consider him on becoming the leading Croatian defender. Antonio Milić and Josip Radošević together created the best double pivot couple in Prva HNL. During Hajduk's winter preparations, he suffered an injury, which kept him off the pitch for nearly two months but he returned and helped his team to reach the 2012–13 Croatian Cup final by scoring the equalizer goal in the away match against Slaven Belupo on Poljud. In May 2013 Antonio signed a new contract with Hajduk that would keep him with the club until 2015. In May 2013 he won the Croatian Cup.

Under new manager Igor Tudor, Antonio's role in the team changed and was somewhat reduced. He was deployed either at left back or at center back and made 22 appearances in all competitions.

Oostende

On 20 December 2014, it was announced that Milić will join the Belgian club K.V. Oostende for a fee of 500 thousand euros.

Anderlecht

After a great three-year display at Oostende, Milić was about to join Anderlecht at the end of January 2018, but failed to sign with them as the transfer could not be completed due to the end of the transfer window. On 22 May 2018, it was announced that Milić has signed a three-year contract with Anderlecht, along with his teammate Knowledge Musona.

Rayo Vallecano (loan)

On 30 August 2019, Milić joined Spanish Segunda División side Rayo Vallecano on a one-year loan deal.[2]

Lech Poznań

On 10 January 2021, Milić was transferred from Anderlecht to Polish side Lech Poznań.[3]

International career

He was called up to the senior Croatia squad for the first time for a World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in October 2017.[4]

In August 2018 he was called up as a part of Croatia's UEFA Nations League squad for matches against Spain and England. On 6 September 2018, Milić earned his first cap for Croatia in an international friendly against Portugal.

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Hajduk Split2011–12Prva HNL2020
2012–13Prva HNL2630020283
2013–14Prva HNL1822020222
2014–15Prva HNL1221050182
Total5873090707
Oestende2014–15Pro League5151
2015–16Pro League33210342
2016–17First Division A28540315
2017–18First Division A3513020401
Total101970201109
Anderlecht2018–19First Division A2100040250
2020–21First Division A
Total2100040250
Rayo Vallecano (loan)2019–20Segunda División18020200
Lech Poznań2020–21[5] Ekstraklasa9020110
2021–22[6] Ekstraklasa26420284
2022–23[7] Ekstraklasa2311016110412
2023–24[8] Ekstraklasa2612041322
Total84670202101128
Career total282221903521033724

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Croatia201830
Total30

Honours

Hajduk Split

2012

2012–13

Lech Poznań

Notes and References

  1. Web site: mȉo. Mìlić. Hrvatski jezični portal. 17 March 2018. sh.
  2. Web site: Antonio Milic nuevo jugador del Rayo Vallecano. Antonio Milic new player of Rayo Vallecano. Rayo Vallecano. es. 30 August 2019. 31 August 2019.
  3. Web site: Mastromonaco. Remi. January 10, 2021. Official: Antonio Milic Arrives At Lech Poznan. January 11, 2021. Wallfoot.
  4. News: Ukraine 0-2 Croatia . 1 July 2018 . BBC . 9 October 2017.
  5. Web site: Sezon 2020/21 . 90minut . 2 September 2021.
  6. Web site: Sezon 2021/22 . 90minut . 2 September 2021.
  7. Web site: Sezon 2022/23 . 90minut . 17 July 2022.
  8. Web site: Sezon 2023/24 . 90minut . 28 July 2023.