Marek Hamsik (33 years old) is the captain of Slovakia and a legend in his country: 26 goals in 126 meetings with his team. He is the leader, the footballer who sets the pace and the main threat of the rival against whom Spain is playing tomorrow in La Cartuja. Hamsik wanted to attend AS before the momentous match.
– Marek, how is he?
– Well, a little tired from the trip, but we have two days to prepare for a game that will be very tough.
– What is Spain waiting for?
– I think it will be the same as the games with Sweden and Poland. They will stay with the ball, dominating, and will push aggressively when they don't have it. They have an obligation to win, so they will attack hard.
– How can you hurt him?
– Well, it's not going to be easy (laughs), but Sweden and Poland knew how to hold on. We can do it too. We know that they are very good with the ball, we have to take away spaces so that they create as few opportunities as possible.
– No one imagines a Slovakia without you, its captain, while Spain presented itself to the Euro without Ramos …
– I was very surprised. A player with his experience, with a record of international appearances, with his personality, can only be missed.
– Who are your favorite players on this Spanish National Team?
– I look at those in my position … I have always liked Thiago, I had the chance to play with Fabian and he is a great talent, an enormous footballer.
– For the future of Fabián, there has been talk for years about Madrid, Atleti and Barça …
– He chose to come to Naples and it was a great decision, because he is a great team and there he was able to play the Champions League as the protagonist. He grew a lot and I think he could play quietly in any of these clubs, but I hope he stays with the Azzurri to do great things there.
– Did you imagine that Spain would have reached the last day like this?
“Madrid chose well with Ancelotti, I did not expect that they would call him again”
– It was a surprise, of course. We expected Spain with six points at this point, and instead they will have to play it with us.
– There is a lot of talk about his lack of goal …
– Sweden and Poland locked up very well, the forwards didn't have as many chances either.
– In 2010 and 2016 Slovakia managed to qualify in similar situations.
– It is said that there are no two without three, but in football you never know (laughs). They were tough games, against Italy and England, and hopefully the same thing happens.
– Which team impressed you at this Euro?
– Italy, without a doubt. Nobody plays and wins like them, it makes everything very easy. Now they have the toughest matches, but I hope they go far. My friend Insigne had an incredible season, he is a natural talent. I told him that, with him, 10 de la Azzurra is in good hands.
– You were the first to beat Maradona's goal record. How did you experience your death?
– They know I feel half Neapolitan. It was very hard, the truth, losing an idol, a footballer and a man like him. It meant a lot to us.
– Do you miss Naples?
– A long time, I haven't been here for too long. I want to see the city and my friends again.
– There were rumors about his return to the club azzurro …
– I don't think there was that opportunity. I did not propose and I think there was nothing. Naples looks to the future and it is just like that. I chose before the Eurocup to sign with Trabzonspor to fully focus on this competition.
– Napoli season ended with that unexpected draw with Verona, which cost the Champions League. What do you think happened?
– I didn't expect it at all. They came from a spectacular final stretch of the season, they won all the games except the most important one. They missed the Champions League in a way that did a lot of damage. I don't know what happened, but they didn't know how to play like in the previous days. The same was due to pressure, being aware that they could lose everything after months at a great level. A shame
– His last coach in Naples was Ancelotti, who has now returned to Madrid.
– I had a spectacular relationship with Ancelotti. He is an exceptional man, he manages the group in an incredible way, he is always positive. I really enjoyed working with him and I am grateful for having lived those six months together. Honestly, I didn't expect Madrid to call him again, it was a nice surprise. The whites chose well: the coach knows his environment well, he already won there and I am sure he will do great.
– Would you get wet with a forecast?
– Absolutely not (laughs). We should only think about giving everything on the field to achieve a historic feat for Slovakia.