In the summer at the U21 European Championship, he scored two goals in three matches, one against England and the other against Slovenia. Fila was dominant and determined to pull Italian Venice back to Serie A. He did not want to hear about a transfer away, although the disappointment of the relegation was visible.
The last year has been tough, hasn’t it?
In retrospect, I perceive that it was definitely the most difficult period from a mental point of view that I experienced. I had to realize how things work in world football. And above all, half a year in Serie A gave me a lot.
Half a year in Serie B is apparently much more demanding.
You are right, overall I would divide the engagement into two halves. The first one, in Serie A, was positive. Even though it came down, I felt confident. When I played well, I started the next match and felt that it was “played” fairly.
Don’t you see it that way now?
No. And I’m coming to my senses again. I’m gradually learning more about myself, I have to manage the pressure to be able to give my best all the time. I am waiting for my chance and I have to show that I have what it takes. But the fact is that it is much harder to fight from the bench.
Were you surprised that after a successful under-21 championship, your role in the team decreased?
To be honest, I don’t really understand it. I didn’t think about it at all during the Euros, I didn’t deal with other engagements either, although we talked about it with the agent. After the championship, interesting offers came from the top five leagues, but we evaluated that I would have a better position in Serie B. We rejected everything. In retrospect, I see it as a mistake.
A new coach came and brought his players, including the main competitor for my position. He’s a guy who’s only played in Serie B and the competition has a touch, which I can’t control. If I had more information at the time, I probably would have handled the situation differently. But I won’t take it back and I have to look forward.
From which countries did the offers come?
Logically, I cannot be completely specific, but an offer came from the Bundesliga or from the second English league. But I didn’t want to “betray” the sports director of Venice, with whom we have a great relationship. We are in contact with each other every week, we solve the situation and it is necessary to manage it, because this is also what football brings.
You are receiving offers from the Czech Republic as well, Plzeň has shown interest. Don’t you have ulterior motives?
Overall, I’m experiencing an internal struggle. I want to play, I’m doing my best, but you lose your illusions over time and it’s harder and harder to stay positive. I don’t know when or if any chance will come. I am registering interest from the Czech Republic, but if I were to accept it, it would have to make sense to me and the team would have to play European cups. I want to fight, but the fight must be fair. I don’t want to be counted. If I shouldn’t be part of the team, I don’t see a future here anymore.
Has interest also come from abroad?
We are working it out with the agent. Especially during the period when I was at the bottom, I asked about it. There are some top-of-the-table teams there, but they’re not top-five league deals and I probably wouldn’t go there. Nothing captivated me as much as in the summer.
Do you also resolve the situation with the coach?
It is not worn at all in the Czech Republic. Someone often tells you that you are “climbing up the coach’s ass”. But it is common abroad. The coach will tell you what to improve, what to work on, and then maybe the minutes will come. But I can’t wait two years.
How does he explain to you that the minutes are short?
I was against going to the trainer. I wasn’t used to it, but after a while I made up my mind. I asked why I wasn’t playing, and the answer was that I’m a great player, but I still need to improve in everything. I go to see him repeatedly and actually hear nothing but praise. I don’t play though, and hearing specifically what to improve on would be better for me. Praise means nothing to me when I’m not on the pitch.
Even the relatively good position of Venice in the table does not play into your cards.
Ambitions were even higher. Everyone thought we would lead Serie B and be dominant. But the reality is that everyone loses points, we have unexpected defeats and draws. Specifically, my competitor in attack only has three goals from the game, yet has significantly more playing time. But that’s football. Every trainer has his “horses” that he trusts. I have to keep working and see what happens.
How would you compare Serie A and Serie B? Couldn’t the problem be that the second league doesn’t suit you so much?
The second league is definitely lower in quality. It is more competitive, which is also helped by the smaller pitches. Paradoxically, Serie A suited me much better, where I also did significantly better. Even the sports director of the club tells me that I am a player for the first league.
(smiles) That’s what I think too. He looked me up, followed me for many years and knows me very well. He keeps telling me that I’m his long-term project and a player for Serie A. It’s a positive thing, but I don’t really understand why I’m not playing one floor down. Maybe I’m a little lacking in patience, but when it escalates every week and you’re only getting on for twenty minutes, it’s hard to listen to. But I’m glad for the communication.
Can you speak Italian yet?
I’m not fluent yet, but since there are a lot of foreigners here, Italian is not completely dominant. We communicate in English more often. But the implementation team only speaks Italian, so we are all learning. I understand most things and take it positively that I have learned the language. I’ll keep that.
What is personal life like in Italy?
I live in the suburbs of Mestre. It’s a strange city, but I can say that I’ve gotten used to it and consider it almost like home. I know where everything is, I’ve learned to live here and I’m satisfied in this respect.
Are you used to the Italian fans?
They are heartthrobs. When things don’t go well, they know how to show it. But it is not to the same extent as, for example, in the Czech Republic, where people curse you on social networks. In every restaurant I’ve been to, people recognize me. The owners have photos with players and coaches, they take phone numbers on them.
Have you given any away yet?
(laughs) Fortunately, not yet.
And do you follow the comments on social networks?
I try not to notice it. But everyone has someone in their family who is going through it, and sometimes someone sends me something. I always wonder why he even sends this to me. We all know how mean people can be. But I don’t worry about it. I only take criticism from people I like and who like me. I can accept this.
