He is a native of the small village of Vitanová in Orava. Through Trstená and Námestovo, he got to Ružomberok, where he caught 50 games.
But now the talented Slovak goalkeeper did it Dominik Tapaj (21) a huge step. In the winter, he transferred to the famous Czech club FC Viktoria Plzeň. “I chose Pilsen because there are good conditions, quality coaches and everything to move on. Now I have hard work ahead of me, because I haven’t been able to do anything big yet,” he said. In an interview with ŠPORT.sk, he revealed much more.
You will read in the interview– Why didn’t he attach much weight to Pilsen’s offer?
– He attacked a teammate. How did he perceive the incident from the preparatory match?
– He caught a raid. How did he see his premiere?
– What is his position in the team?
– What is his relationship with his goalkeeper colleagues and Patrik Hrošovský?
They play in Europe
Pilsen is a leading European club that regularly plays in European competitions. How did your move to Victoria come about?
“Something was hinted to me by the manager already after the end of last season. To tell the truth, I didn’t attach much importance to it, I didn’t think about it. However, after the holidays, the goalkeeping coach of Pilsen called me saying that they were very interested in me. He contacted me three days before leaving for the training camp in Spain, he told me how they envisioned things. We had a very similar vision, so I decided that Pilsen would be a good step for me. And so I flew to concentration.’
You kept a clean sheet in the first friendly match against Lugano. You won the match in Benidorm, Spain, which was played three times for 45 minutes, 4:2. How was it for you?
“I caught the third period. I went into the match knowing what to do. The system in Pilsen is a bit new for me, because we worked differently in Ružomberok. However, we played similarly in the under-21 national team, so I knew what the coaches expected from me.”
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When he arrived at the club in October last year, he was crouching in the penultimate place in the table.
You intercepted the opponent’s raid and several shots from outside the penalty area.
“I felt good on the pitch. The first shot was not the easiest for me, it was an attempt from outside the penalty area. I couldn’t see the ball and it floated uncomfortably, so I hit it to the corner. But I caught it with a heavy object and the performance was very good from my side.”
Were you worried or nervous before the premiere?
“I was really surprised that there was no nervousness. The pressure in Pilsen is great, but it’s preparation. And that’s how I took it.”
VIDEO: Dominik Ťapaj after arriving in Pilsen
The most important is the head
They say that psychology plays a big role in goalkeepers. Is it true?
“That’s right. Training is very important, you learn a lot of things from it. You solve match situations from it, but the most important thing is the head. When a goalkeeper has a strong psyche, he can evaluate every situation and make difficult decisions correctly. Training is very important, but the head is even more important.”
In a friendly match against the Swiss team, a curious situation happened when a Lugano player attacked his own teammate. How did you see it? Have you experienced something similar?
“I didn’t see it because I was warming up on the side field. But of course the guys in the booth were talking about it, they were all amazed at what was going on. But personally, I have no idea what it was about.”
VIDEO: Incident from the friendly match with Lugano
FC Porto is waiting for you in the next European League match. This is a different level than MFK Skalica or Zemplín Michalovce…
“Pilsen is also catching up to the European top. It is getting closer to it, which is confirmed by the results. I will only be in the stands in this match, but I will definitely enjoy it. I want to feel the atmosphere, because it will be a big match.”
What does the engagement in Pilsen mean to you? Is this a big shift in your career?
“It’s a big club, but I try to look at it with an open mind. I chose Pilsen because there are good conditions, quality coaches and everything to move on. Now I have hard work ahead of me, because I haven’t been able to do anything big yet.”
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Five years ago, they belonged to the average teams of the fifth league. However, the former Slovakian representative Dušan Tóth (54), who started writing a beautiful story with MFK Zvolen, sat on the bench.
Ružomberok is also doing well
What makes Pilsen a better club than Ružomberok?
“As far as goalkeepers are concerned, Ružomberok is also doing well. However, there are other options here, there are two goalkeeper coaches, one fitness coach is also focused on goalkeepers. I’ve only been at the club for a while and I’m already looking forward to further training in Pilsen.”
What is your position in the team? Do you believe you will become a unit?
“Truthfully, I can’t say it like that. I start in the position that Florian Wiegele is in front of me. But there will be many matches and we will see what the coaches decide. I believe that they will give me a chance, but everything will depend on me, how I look in training and how I show up.”
You have two more matches in the European League, in which you will definitely not be involved. After that, however, the club can sign you up on the roster.
“Exactly. I believe we will be able to advance. That is our primary goal.”
How is your relationship with colleagues? Marián Tvrdoň was playing in the sixth league, but he made it all the way to Pilsen. Then Austrian Florian Wiegele catches in Pilsen.
“As for the goalkeeping team, I fit in quickly, everyone is trying to help me. I’m training well with my colleagues and I feel great here.”
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Before the start of winter training, Spartak Trnava introduced a new coach, Antonio Muňoz. The Spaniard came to Spartak’s dressing room even before the first training session, which calmed the situation in the Trnava club.
Slovak national team is a dream
Your new teammate is already an icon of Slovak football, Patrik Hrošovský. What is your relationship like?
“Patrik is a help not only for me, but for the whole team. From the first day, he showed himself as a leader on and off the field. He personally offered to help me solve the things I need. It is a big thing for me because I watched him on TV for the Slovak national team and now he is here with me.”
There is a lot of competition for the goalkeeper position. Is your goal the national team of Slovakia?
“That’s clear. Every young footballer wants to get there. But it will be difficult, because there are excellent goalkeepers in the national team and they will be great later on. But I believe that I will get there one day. I will look ahead and do everything to do it.”
You have played 50 matches in the Nike League and have already moved to a better Czech league. Are you ready for a higher pace?
“I dare to say that yes. I have caught something in Slovakia and even when the pace is higher here, I believe in myself.”
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During his career he played for Spartak Trnava, Zaglebie Lubin, AEL Limassol, Dukla Banská Bystrica and Podbrezová. From the village of Horehron, he headed to the Saudi Arabian team Al-Adalah, in whose jersey he played against the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo.
What did Ružomberok goalkeeper coach Ľuboš Hajdúch tell you before leaving?
“Mainly to be healthy, the rest will come after that. He wished me luck, but I will continue to be in contact with him. I will never forget who I grew up with.”
Will you be in contact with former teammates? What did they tell you before they left?
“They all congratulated me. I’m still in touch with some of them and I’ll keep my fingers crossed for them. I’ll definitely be following them because they’re close to my heart and I have great friends there.”
Would you like to add something?
“I would like to thank my parents who supported me from the beginning. Then there are my siblings and especially my older brother Samo, who always trusted me. And of course my beloved girlfriend. I also thank the management in Ružomberok and every single coach I worked under. I believe this is just the beginning.”
