Schäfer: When Lacika laid me on the ground, I cried

Vágólapra másolva!

2021.07.12. 22:04

Címkék

On the last day of Euro 2020, András Schäfer was the guest on the NS podium. The midfielder of DAC who's been capped nine times for Hungary was one of the key players of the national team at the continental tournament, scored against Germany, and was voted as the best Hungarian player of the tournament by the NS editorial staff and readers. Zsolt Somogyi, Nemzeti Sport's football column's journalist spoke to him.

András Schäfer on how Euro 2020 has changed him:

„I'm no different, I'm the same as before the tournament. I'm getting more attention right now, but I think I'm handling it right. My teammates in Dunaszerdahely said jokingly that they thought I wouldn't even return to them, but of course, they were very happy for me and congratulated me.”

About the fan messages:

„I've received a lot of congratulatory messages, and that's a big motivation. I also got a message I wouldn't quote because my girlfriend might not react well to it...”

Advice for young people:

„Work hard. It's important to know that when you're down, it's not the end of the world. It's possible to stand up and achieve great things. I also had a year in Italy when I barely played or got a chance. However, I learned from it, was able to stand back up, and it gives me great strength today.”

About the European Championship:

„I haven't really processed what happened at the European Championship yet. I hope I can go through something like this again. I wish we could've played another game at home in the Puskás Aréna. The audience influenced us as if there was one more player on the pitch. It made everyone get themselves together a lot better and also perform better."

„I enjoyed it all. I wasn't scared of Kylian Mbappé or Cristiano Ronaldo. I can't even put into words what these three games were like. When you play against your childhood role model – it's Cristiano Ronaldo for me - you get a feeling that you're not going to get nervous, but trying to make the best of yourself.”

About his goal against Germany:

„I saw that the two German defenders fell asleep. When I ran to the ball after Ádám Szalai's pass, I noticed Neuer coming out, and I saw that there was room next to him because he had the wrong angle of defense. After the goal, I started screaming, I don't know what, and then when Lacika laid me on the ground, I cried. I hope the goal didn't change me at all.”

About his future:

„I want to continue my career in a team where, if I play, I also have a chance of being in the national team's starting lineup. I'm in the right place right now, and I wouldn't mind being able to stay with DAC for six months or even a year.”