Branislav Ivanović

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Branislav Ivanović
Бранислав Ивановић
Ivanović with Chelsea
Ivanović with Chelsea
Personal information
Full name Branislav Ivanović
Date of birth 22 February 1984 (1984-02-22) (age 27)
Place of birth Sremska Mitrovica, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Playing position Defender
Club information
Current club Chelsea
Number 2
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2001–2002 Remont 13 (0)
2002–2003 Srem 19 (2)
2003–2006 OFK Beograd 55 (5)
2006–2008 Lokomotiv Moscow 54 (5)
2008– Chelsea 94 (5)
National team‡
2003–2007 Serbia U-21 38 (4)
2005– Serbia 47 (5)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:24, 22 December 2011 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 08:11, 15 November 2011 (UTC)

Branislav Ivanović (Serbian Cyrillic: Бранислав Ивановић, pronounced [brǎnislaʋ iʋǎːnoʋitɕ], born 22 February 1984) is a Serbian footballer who plays for Chelsea in the Premier League and the Serbia national team.

He started his career in Serbia, playing for Remont, FK Srem and OFK Beograd, where he earned his first cap for Serbia, before moving to Russia to play for Lokomotiv Moscow. After two years in Moscow he moved to Chelsea. He is a versatile defensive player, able to play across the defence and as a defensive midfielder. He played for Serbia at their first international tournament, the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Ivanović was selected as the right-back of the season for the Premier League 2009-10 season as Chelsea won the league title and the 2010 FA Cup Final.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Born to father Rade and mother Slavica, both of whom have sporting backgrounds, young Branislav took to football early in the youth sections of hometown Srem, the club his father also turned out for professionally, playing the defensive positions of sweeper and centre-half.[2] Ivanović has a son named Stefan.

[edit] Club career

[edit] Early career

Ivanović began his career in his home town with Srem, before transferring to OFK Beograd in December 2003, during the 2003–04 winter transfer window.

[edit] Lokomotiv Moscow

Ivanović playing for Lokomotiv

After three years of playing in the Serbian Superliga, the first division of football in Serbia and previously Montenegro, he was signed by Lokomotiv Moscow in January 2006. Coached by compatriot Slavoljub Muslin, 22-year-old Ivanović made an immediate impact, appearing in 28 league matches, scoring two goals, and picking up five bookings along the way. He was substituted only twice during the entire league season and contributed greatly to Lokomotiv's legitimate title challenge that ultimately ran out of steam near the end of the season. He sealed his place as a regular in the Serbian national team during his career in Russia.

In the following season, Ivanović, by now an established squad member, made 26 league appearances and scored three goals. During his time with Lokomotiv Moscow, the only major honour he won was the Russian Cup in 2007.

[edit] Chelsea

On 15 January 2008, Chelsea confirmed that the club had agreed terms with Lokomotiv for Ivanović's transfer subject to the agreement of personal terms and the passing of a medical, having beaten competition from the likes of Milan, Ajax, Juventus and Internazionale for his signature.[3] Though the transfer fee was undisclosed, it was speculated to be in the £ 9 million range.[4] Lokomotiv Moscow announced the transfer fee for Ivanović was €13 million (£9.7 million). According to the club, the transfer was the largest in Russian football history.[5] Ivanović signed a three-and-a-half year contract with Chelsea the following day. He was given the number 2 shirt last worn by Glen Johnson.[6]

[edit] 2007–08

Despite the substantial price tag, Ivanović did not make a first team appearance for Chelsea during the 2007–08 season under manager Avram Grant. The reason given by the club was a lack of match fitness as a result of the Russian league season's conclusion several months before his signing. However, he did play twice for the Chelsea reserve side.

[edit] 2008–09

Ivanović playing for Chelsea versus Arsenal on 30 November 2008

Before the start of the 2008-09 season, Ivanović was linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, most notably to Serie A clubs Milan and Juventus[citation needed]. However, new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, said Ivanović featured in his plans for the coming season.

More than eight months after becoming a Chelsea player, Ivanović finally made an appearance for the club's first team, getting a start against Portsmouth in the League Cup on 24 September. He soon went on to make his Premier League debut, starting against Aston Villa and playing the full ninety minutes at Stamford Bridge on 5 October, a match that Chelsea won 2–0. However, Ivanović was still far from securing a regular spot: he sat out the following five league matches, only getting a single substitute appearance in the 85th minute away at Hull City with the contest already decided 0-3 when Scolari sent him on for José Bosingwa. It would be Ivanović's starting performance at right back position against the second-tier Championship side Burnley on 12 November (shocking League Cup elimination on penalties at home) that convinced the Brazilian manager to give his Serb defender another look. This time, Ivanović got the chance at center back position instead of Alex, starting four consecutive matches: including three league contests as well as his first ever Champions League appearance away at Bordeaux. However, it was the performance at home versus Arsenal on 30 November that lowered Ivanović's stock in Scolari's eyes again - after being up at halftime, the Blues lost the contest 1-2 courtesy of Robin van Persie's second half brace. The Serb was relegated back to the bench, recording only a couple more starts in late December and early January. He played a total of nine games in the first part of the 2008–09 season under Scolari's tenure.

Towards the end of the 2008-09 winter transfer window, Ivanović became a target of another Serie A outfit - this time it was Fiorentina. On 27 January, his agent Vlado Borozan confirmed ongoing negotiations with the club's sporting director Pantaleo Corvino,[7] however, on 1 February, Italian player agent Ernesto Broseti said Chelsea appeared unwilling to sell Ivanović and that he will likely remain in London,[8] which is what happened in the end.

Chelsea was in a poor run of form, culminating with a 2-0 loss away at Liverpool followed by a goalless home draw versus lowly Hull City, all of which led to Scolari's removal on 9 February. New manager Guus Hiddink continued omitting Ivanović who was by now completely out of the first-team picture. His first start under Hiddink finally came on 4 April away at Newcastle United, almost two months after the Dutchman's arrival at Stamford Bridge. It was the player's first league appearance in more than three months for the club and it happened only days after he scored the winning goal for the Serbian national team in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier away at Romania. Despite playing very little competitive football over the previous months (his appearances restricted to national team and cup competitions with Chelsea), Ivanović responded with assured defensive displays.

He scored his first goal for Chelsea against Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final at Anfield. He later went on to score a second goal which like his first, was a headed goal off a corner. These two goals proved to be decisive, as Chelsea left Anfield leading 1–3 on aggregate, and would go on to win the tie by two goals with an aggregate score of 7–5.[9] Ivanović's two goals also earned him a regular starting place for the time being in Guus Hiddink's side, as well as making him an instant fan favorite among Chelsea supporters with the nickname Branislav 'two goal' Ivanović announced before games. Still, by the end of the season Hiddink relegated Ivanović back to the bench after Champions League semi-final 1st leg at Barcelona, meaning that he didn't play in the controversial second leg that Chelsea lost in heartbreaking fashion, and he also sat out the 2009 FA Cup Final.

[edit] 2009–10

Ivanović in action for Chelsea in 2010

Beginning the season under yet another new manager Carlo Ancelotti (Ivanović's fourth in his 18 months at Stamford Bridge), the Serb made his first start in the Community Shield against Premier League champions Manchester United. He was substituted off at half time for José Bosingwa with Manchester leading 0-1 as Chelsea went on to overturn the result 2-1 before conceding an injury-time equaliser and eventually winning 4–1 on penalties.[10]

In mid-August Ivanović made his first Premier League appearance of the season against Sunderland, which Chelsea won 3–1, with goals from Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard, and Deco.[11] In September, Ivanović made his first Champions League appearance of the season against FC Porto in the absence of Chelsea's first choice right back, José Bosingwa. Ivanović scored the first goal of his Premier League career against Bolton Wanderers with a shot from inside the penalty area on 31 October. His goal was Chelsea's third in a 4–0 victory at the Reebok Stadium. As his main competitor for a defensive spot, Bosingwa, went down with a season-ending knee injury in October, Ivanović became an automatic choice in the Chelsea defence.

Though much more settled into the Chelsea first team than in previous seasons, Ivanović continued to figure as a transfer target for various European teams, highlighting his recent form. On 22 December, a week before the opening of 2009–10 winter transfer window, he was placed on the cover of MARCA, influential Spanish high circulation daily sports tabloid that maintains strong links to Real Madrid. The accompanying piece claimed that Real is after Ivanović as a replacement for their injured centre back Pepe.[12]

As the season continued, so did Ivanović as a regular in the Chelsea first team. In the UEFA Champions' League second round first leg away at Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan, the later winners of the compition, Ivanović ran a majority of the pitch before passing to Salomon Kalou who scored Chelsea's equaliser. His great run of form during the season led to him being named in the PFA 2009/10 Team of the Year in the right-back position.

[edit] 2010–11

Ivanović started the season at right back but eventually moved back centre back due to injuries to his team mates Alex and John Terry and the return to fitness of first choice right back Jose Bosingwa. His first goal of the season scored in an away game against Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League, on 30 October 2010,[13] a late header that secured Chelsea 2-1 win. He then scored a brace in a 4-1 win in the Champions League against Spartak Moscow on 4 November 2010, netted by a powerful header and a neat shot.[14] His second goal in the Premier League, or fourth in all competitions, came with a header during the 3-1 loss to Arsenal.[15]

Early in 2011, Ivanović scored his first goal of the year on 15 January 2011, in a 2-0 home win in a Premier League match against Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge, with a shot from close range. He has currently made 34 appearances and has scored five goals in total.[16]

On 10 February 2011, Ivanović signed a new five-and-a-half year-contract with Chelsea Football Club, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2016. After signing this new long-term deal, he said: "It is good news for me, it is a very big step for me in my career and I want to try to help Chelsea win a lot more trophies," according to Ivanović. He said again: "These things take a little time but my first vision was always to stay with Chelsea. There were not a lot of problems because I wanted to stay, the club wanted me to stay and I want to thank everyone who helped with the deal. I am very happy with that." He ended the season by being one of three nominations for Chelsea Player of the Year, losing out in the end to Petr Čech.

[edit] 2011-12

Branislav Ivanovic scored a headed goal in the 42nd minute of Chelsea's 5-0 home win over Belgian club KRC Genk in the Champions League Group E.[17] He assisted Frank Lampard from a outside-of-the-foot cross in the 50th minute against Blackburn Rovers F.C Chelsea won the game as it was the only goal of the match.

[edit] Career statistics

As of 28 January 2012
Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Serbia League Serbian Cup League Cup Europe Total
2003–04 OFK Beograd Super Liga 13 0 - - - - 13 0
2004–05 27 2 - - - - 27 2
2005–06 15 3 - - 2 1 17 4
Russia League Russian Cup League Cup Europe Total
2006 Lokomotiv Moscow Premier League 28 2 2 0 2 1 32 3
2007 26 3 7 0 6 1 39 4
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
2007–08 Chelsea F.C. Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2008–09 16 0 4 0 2 0 4 2 26 2
2009–10 28 1 3 0 3 0 6 0 40 1
2010–11 34 4 3 0 0 0 10 2 47 6
2011–12 16 0 1 0 1 0 5 1 23 1
League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Total Serbia 55 5 0 0 2 1 57 6
Russia 54 5 9 0 8 2 71 7
England 94 5 11 0 6 0 25 5 136 10
Career total 203 15 20 0 6 0 35 8 264 23

[edit] International career

[edit] Under-21

Ivanović's under-21 debut took place on 15 December 2003 in Ohrid vs. Macedonia in a match that Serbia-Montenegro ended up winning 4–1. He scored his first goal only two days later against the same opponent in a 7–0 rout.

He took part in the 2006 U-21 Championships in Portugal, where he made four appearances and scored one goal for Serbia and Montenegro. Ivanović was given the captain's armband during this time and continued to captain the side to the 2007 U-21 Championships final where they lost to the host, the Netherlands.

In total he featured in 38 matches for the under-21 team, scoring 4 goals.

[edit] Senior team

Ivanović received his first cap on 8 June 2005 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada when Serbia and Montenegro played a friendly against Italy. The game finished 1–1 and he came on as a 77th minute sub for his then club teammate Marko Baša.[18] Ivanović scored his first international goal on 12 September 2007 against Portugal in Lisbon. The goal was of importance because Serbia were losing 1–0 up until the 88th minute, when Ivanović scored following a series of goal area deflections after a Dejan Stanković in-swinging freekick, sealing a 1–1 draw. The game was played for Euro 2008 qualifying.[19]

Despite not having a regular spot at his club side Chelsea at the time, Ivanović continued being the automatic starting choice for Serbia at the start of World Cup 2010 qualifiers under new head coach Radomir Antić. He regularly plays right back for Serbia.

[edit] International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 12 September 2007 Estádio José Alvalade, Lissabon, Portugal  Portugal 1–1 1–1 Euro 2008 qual.
2. 10 September 2008 Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France  France 2–1 2–1 2010 World Cup qual.
3. 11 October 2008 Stadium Crvena Zvezda, Beograd, Serbia  Lithuania 1–0 3–0 2010 World Cup qual.
4. 28 March 2009 Stadionul Farul, Constanta, Romania  Romania 1–3 2–3 2010 World Cup qual.
5. 7 October 2011 Stadium Crvena Zvezda, Belgrade, Serbia  Italy 1–1 1–1 Euro 2012 qual.

[edit] Personal

On his mother's side, Ivanović is related to late footballer Đorđe Milovanović, also known as "Đoka Bomba," a former Red Star Belgrade player, as well as his son Dejan Milovanović, also a professional footballer, currently playing for Panionios in Greece.

[edit] Honours

[edit] Lokomotiv

[edit] Chelsea

[edit] Individual

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Premier League Player Profile". Premier League. http://www.premierleague.com/page/PlayerProfile/0,,12306~39508,00.html. Retrieved 28 April 2011. 
  2. ^ Bane ima dušu veliku kao Srem, Blic, 12 April 2008
  3. ^ "Ivanović statement". chelseafc.com. 15 January 2008. http://www.chelseafc.com/page/NewsHomePage/0,,10268~1215933,00.html. Retrieved 16 January 2008. 
  4. ^ Chelsea complete Ivanovic signing
  5. ^ "оформил крупнейший трансфер в истории российского футбола" (in Russian). fclm.ru. 16 January 2008. http://www.fclm.ru/news/587b8426d0024275a603376ced47736b.html. Retrieved 17 January 2008. [dead link]
  6. ^ "Ivanović signs". chelseafc.com. 16 January 2008. http://www.chelseafc.com/page/NewsHomePage/0,,10268~1216855,00.html. Retrieved 16 January 2008. 
  7. ^ "Ivanović na korak od Fiorentine" (in Serbian). b92.net. 16 January 2008. http://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal/vesti.php?yyyy=2009&mm=01&dd=27&nav_id=341541. Retrieved 27 January 2009. 
  8. ^ "Menadžer: Čelsi ne pušta Ivanovića" (in Serbian). b92.net. 1 February 2008. http://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal/vesti.php?yyyy=2009&mm=02&dd=01&nav_id=342540. Retrieved 14 February 2009. 
  9. ^ McNulty, Phil (8 April 2009). Liverpool 1–3 Chelsea BBC Sport Retrieved on 2009-04-09
  10. ^ [1] BBC Sport Retrieved on 9 September 2009
  11. ^ "Sunderland 1–3 Chelsea". BBC News. 18 August 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8202329.stm. Retrieved 26 April 2010. 
  12. ^ El Madrid sigue a Ivanovic como recambio ideal de Pepe, MARCA, 22 December 2009
  13. ^ "Match Reports: Blackburn 1 v 2 Chelsea". chelseafc.com. http://www.chelseafc.com/matchreport/20101030/blackburn-1-chelsea-2_2249014_51680. Retrieved 20 January 2011. 
  14. ^ Winter, Henry (3 November 2010). "Chelsea 4 Spartak Moscow 1: Match report". London: telegraph.co.uk. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/champions-league/8108131/Chelsea-4-Spartak-Moscow-1-match-report.html. Retrieved 20 January 2011. 
  15. ^ "Match Reports: Arsenal 3 v 1 Chelsea". chelseafc.com. http://www.chelseafc.com/matchreport/20101227/arsenal-3-chelsea-1_2249014_51963. Retrieved 20 January 2011. 
  16. ^ "Match Reports: Chelsea 2 v 0 Blackburn". chelseafc.com. http://www.chelseafc.com/matchreport/20110115/chelsea-2-blackburn-0_2249014_53297. Retrieved 20 January 2011. 
  17. ^ "Chelsea 5-0 Genk". BBC News. 19 October 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15269495.stm. 
  18. ^ "Branislav Ivanović profile" (in Serbian). Football Association of Serbia. 16 January 2008. http://www.fss.rs/reprezentacija/igracPodaci.jsp?id=5&igracId=15. Retrieved 16 January 2008. [dead link]
  19. ^ "Ivanović strike denies Portugal points". www.uefa.com. 12 September 2007. Archived from the original on 30 December 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071230144206/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/euro/fixturesresults/round=2241/match=83790/index.html. Retrieved 15 January 2008. 

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Branislav Ivanović
Serbia and Montenegro squad – 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Runners-up
Serbia and Montenegro
Serbia and Montenegro squad – 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
Serbia and Montenegro
Serbia squad – 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Runners-up
Serbia
Serbia squad – 2010 FIFA World Cup
Serbia
Chelsea F.C. – current squad
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