Matoušek: We can help each other with Bohemka. Glory? It did not work out
Four and a half years ago, he came to Slavia with the label of the league’s most expensive player. But the Sišivani stopped counting on Jan Matoušek (24) and sent him on loan for years. The last one will be at Bohemians, where he will sign a contract in the summer. “I can help Bohemka and she can help me. Why couldn’t she play, for example, in the European League,” thinks the forward, who tried out an unusual position at the start of the training.
You beat Dukla Reserve 5-0 in the only training session in the Czech Republic, a good start?
“The first match is difficult to evaluate. It’s the beginning of preparation, for artists, we all have some run-in in our legs, so the performances from all of us are not optimal. We’re actually dragging our feet, but that’s how it is in preparation.”
How did it happen that you ended up in Bohemka?
“My contract ends in the summer, and Bohemka offered to sign me from the summer. And so the hosting for six months made sense in that I would continue here from the summer anyway. It was awfully fast, but I’m glad to be here.”
Is that a relief for you?
“Exactly. I’m especially looking forward to it, because for about four years I went on loan, even though I just liked it in Liberec, so I was only there on loan and it was difficult for me.”
Coach Veselý is said to be able to convince players to come. Did you have any interviews?
“Yes, we called each other and went to sit down. But it was quick, it happened in maybe a week, during which we talked twice. He explained to me how things work here and how he counts on me. That interested me, and I didn’t really deal with anything else after that.”
He explained to you where he expected you to go, and then during the first pre-season game he put you at half-back… Quite an unusual position for you.
“It wasn’t the first time, I played about three games there in the league for Liberec, but it’s not exactly my optimal position, I would have to get used to it. But the preparation is for everyone to try a different position, for example when someone gets injured.”
Where do you see yourself in the lineup? Bohemians also brings with you a pretty fast player…
“Definitely a tip or tip. That’s where I feel the best, but otherwise I’ll play almost everything.”
Maybe it belongs to the lot of young players, but what was it like to get used to many different teams during the loan?
“You’re probably right, but most of the guys in the league know each other. They play against each other, so it doesn’t take long to get to know each other because you exchange a few words after the match. When he comes somewhere, usually everyone knows each other and it’s enough to prepare. It’s more difficult to get used to the style of play. I was in Liberec for 2.5 years, as if I was their player, but I still didn’t belong anywhere on paper. The worst thing is to carry it in your head, there is always a threat of moving…”
And did you manage to carry it?
“I think quite yes. I managed a bit more in Jablonec, but then injuries came and I slowly recovered from them in Liberec. I owe the most to Liberec for helping me avoid muscle injuries, which I have been avoiding for two years. If it weren’t for the sprain I had at the end of the season, I would have finished it all over.”
At the same time, you are still a regular player of Slavia, you have been part of their successes, but in recent years you have been out of their team.
“Of course I wanted to go back there, but that’s football. I didn’t succeed and now I must not lose that faith and motivation to get somewhere. I believe that I can help Bohemka, and she can help me, to reach the goal I came to the league with.
At the same time, you scored a lot of goals against Bohemians. Didn’t the new ones remind you of that?
“Yeah, she’s my favorite opponent, I’ve always been successful against her, I’ve scored the most league goals against her. And I hope that I will do well behind her, that I will make up for it a little. The boys made fun of it. We know each other from matches and when I was injured once, they laughed that they were happy not to play.”
In the first preparation you started with a ten on your back, a new number?
“I chose her, I played with her in youth. Martin Hála has my favorite seventeen here.”
Bohemians are seventh after the fall. Did that make it easier to decide that I wasn’t in the relegation battle?
“At all. I take it that Bohemka is a traditional club and mainly has a great fan base. I like how he’s getting up now, he’s playing great, every team has a hard time against them, they’re fighting one for all and all for one.”
Interesting players also go there. Good address?
“It has a great history. And I dare to say that thanks to the performances, even more interesting players can come here. And if everything goes well, why can’t she play in the European League in a few years, for example?”