Four matches in eleven days left FK Jablonec defender Sláma so physically and mentally drained that manager Luboš Kozel reported the 27-year-old had nearly lost his appetite for football, following a grueling international window that featured full-match appearances at home against England and away in Spain.
The Toll of an Exhausting International Window
The heavy schedule demanded rigorous preparation and draining travel across Europe, pushing the backline player to the edge. Upon returning to his club, Sláma received a crucial three-day break to undergo physical regeneration and mental recovery before stepping back onto the training pitch.
“Unaware of losing my appetite for football, I certainly was tired,” Sláma told Sport.cz during an interview in Freiburg. “Playing four matches in eleven days would tire anyone. Traveling is demanding, and you carry mental fatigue preparing for teams where every opponent is superior. I am glad I received those three days off to rest and regenerate.”
Preparing for a Formidable Bundesliga Leader
With recovery behind him, Sláma and Jablonec turn their immediate attention to SC Freiburg, the current surprise leaders of the German Bundesliga, as group-stage play begins. While few observers anticipated Freiburg setting the pace in Germany, Sláma noted that their current league standing reflects the undeniable quality of their squad.
“Nobody expected this, but based on how they play, it is no surprise at all,” Sláma said. “They have an excellent team. We go there as underdogs. Few people expect us to win, but that does not mean we go there as pre-defeated opponents. We want to measure ourselves against them on the pitch.”
Channeling Past Resilience Against Elite Opposition
Jablonec aims to channel the same grit they displayed earlier in the competition when they eliminated Rangers during the play-off rounds. Overcoming those Scottish opponents proved the squad can handle high-level European competition, even if the German side presents an even steeper mountain to climb.
“It showed us that we can play against such opponents,” Sláma noted. “Freiburg is perhaps a bit higher, but we proved we can do it, that it is possible, and that nothing is impossible. They are human beings made of flesh and blood. According to video analysis, they possess an excellent team that excels in pressing, backed by strong home fans.”
Remaining Grounded Amid a Rapid Ascent
Reflecting on his rapid ascent from national team debutant against Croatia, England, and Spain to elite club fixtures, Sláma expressed gratitude for the opportunities while maintaining a strictly grounded outlook.
“I am enjoying it, but I do not want to float away on a cloud,” he said. “The results with the national team were not optimal, but I am glad I got the chance. Now I am back in Jablonec and focusing entirely on the club.”
