He last caught in the national team in 2020. He appeared at the national team in 2021. It was at the time when three years of suffering began for Dominik Greif (27).
Photo: SOPA Images Limited / Alamy / Alamy / Profimedia
Dominik Greif in RCD Mallorca jerseys.
Health problems and difficulties at the club have not stopped him and he is back in the most valuable shirt ahead of the crucial Nations League games in Sweden and at home to Estonia. “For me, it’s like a reunion after years after the ribbon,” he entertained journalists at Tuesday’s national team meeting.
What has changed over the years?
I have gray hair and bangs. Otherwise nothing. The first three years were a pain, but now I’m better, although I came a little angry.
Because of two consecutive losses in La Liga?
Yes. Last time, Atletico Madrid came to us with six defenders in one line, waiting in their own half. They let us have the ball. We threw away chances.
It seemed to me as if they hinted to us: Play and you will beat yourself. And that happened. I couldn’t sleep, I traveled to a meeting in the morning. I was really screwed. Now Slovakia has a big match to play and I will try to help as much as possible.
You take turns in goal with your colleague. Is it the coach’s plan?
Yes. He told us at the beginning that it would be like this. I have no problem with that. I’m glad we’re both doing well. I’m a maximalist, even details annoy me.
It was Mallorca’s best start to the league for a while. Now came two losses. We are waiting for Las Palmas and then FC Barcelona. When you win two games, they talk about the Europa League. And when you lose two, you’re suddenly sixteen and there’s panic. I believe that we will be sailing in the calm waters of the middle of the table.
You’ve had a challenging three years. Are you mentally stronger?
I am experiencing one of the pleasant times. I have fulfilled my dream and I am catching in La Liga. They were challenging things – personally and also in the club. I knew why I wasn’t catching. None of you know and never will, I’ll keep it to myself.
I’m proud of myself for giving it my all in training, even though I knew I wasn’t going to score. I believe that the negative part lasted for three years and the positive part will not only last for three months but longer.
Were you waiting for a representative invitation?
It was a pleasant surprise to be nominated. Pleasant. It probably means that I showed good performances in the club. I didn’t come with any ambitions. I didn’t like the media games with my name a bit.
It was disrespect towards Marek Rodák or Martin Dúbravek and also the coach. I didn’t like it. That’s why I didn’t like to answer the question of representation. I want to work in the national team again and see how it works under the new coach.
You talked about media games. You said that you would rather stay in Mallorca than make a three-pointer in the national team. What did you mean?
I would like to explain. It was meant to give the guys who were in the national team at the time more respect. I was aware of my situation. I was injured for a year. I didn’t even train. I didn’t catch two. Then I caught four matches and the question arose: Why isn’t Greif here?
It seemed unfair to Maťa Dúbravka, Marek Rodák or the coach. And it also applies now when someone tells Greif to go to the goal. Dúbravka has been a support for many years. The native always took his place when Slovakia needed him, he gave an excellent performance.
And also disrespecting the creation of the nomination of coach Calzona. They work for him. Slovakia’s progress – both in terms of performance and results – cannot be denied. It felt like there was nothing to poke at, so let’s see, Dominik catches and we’ll use it to create something.
In that statement, I did not say that I would come to the national team only if I was catching. I wouldn’t allow that in my life. But from the position of a goalkeeper who was not in the national team for three years and did not catch in the club, I had nothing to look for here. Therefore, the team could have someone who catches in the club.
Did you see the first duel against Sweden?
I didn’t see the match because I had nowhere to watch it in Spain. We will analyze it in a moment.
Are you preparing specifically for the offensive duo of Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak?
I know the names, of course. Isak also played in the Spanish league. Even the goalkeeper coach mentioned to us that we will watch them on video. I don’t like to dig into them, because in the match I expect him to do what I saw on the video. He will change it and surprise me. It’s a good study aid, but sometimes you don’t need to overdo it.
The oven is ready
Slovak football representative Peter Pekarík remains in the national team, which is preparing for the key match of the C-division of the League of Nations in Sweden. The thirty-eight-year-old right defender of MŠK Žilina was troubled by health problems and his start was questionable. After examinations, it turned out that he is ready for Saturday’s duel in Stockholm. The Slovak Football Association (SFZ) informed about it through the social network.
Photo: TASR, Lukáš Grinaj
16. Peter Pekarík Peter Pekarík.
In addition to the duel with the “three crowns”, Slovaks also have the final match in Trnava against Estonia (November 19) in Group 1. Coach Francesco Calzona’s team has 10 points, just like Sweden. If the meeting in the north of Europe has its winner, he will play in the “B” next year. Defeated, he is assured of a place in the play-off for advancement.
Source: sportweb.pravda.sk
