“I’m fine, but I have come to be a starter”

Maty Ryan (Plumpton, Australia, 1992) has not yet been able to make himself known among the Real fans, but he is an idol in a country that does not tread even when he plays at home with the national team due to the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus. When the doors open, you will be able to receive your mother in Donostia, back in March, and perhaps your grandfather, if they convince you. Born winner, he cultivates the culture of effort since he was a child, to go far. Give MD his first interview since he’s realistic.

You have played two games at a high level with Australia, how do you come back?

Very well. I go out onto the field with a lot of confidence and that’s because of the way I train. Here I have not had many minutes yet and that is why I take advantage of the matches with the national team, it is a way to play at my best level. I face each training session here as if it were a match, I compete with my teammates. He did the same at Arsenal and then he went to the national team and gave the level. To continue like this.

Does the selection reinforce you?

Much. The goalkeeper has it more difficult to play. Also, Remiro is doing a great job, so the statistics say, with so many games without conceding a goal. I had an injury that did not help me at first, but I have overcome it. I’ve been healthy for a month, getting to know my teammates better, I already understand better how we want to play and Imanol’s instructions. I try to learn every day. I want to give the coach a headache when choosing a goalkeeper. I support Álex when he plays, as he supported me in my debut. We are a family and we want the best for La Real.

What do your colleagues from Australia tell you?

I get a lot of compliments from my teammates and the coaching staff when I play well. I’m not used to not playing, it has happened to me a few times in my career, fortunately. I have to adapt. When I went to Arsenal on loan from Brighton I discovered that I can maintain a very high level without playing continuously. And that is done in training. I feel good like this. In the field I try to help the team that I am representing. I am training well, I am making many stops at Zubieta and when opportunities come, I am confident that I will do very well. I feel in a good place in football.

Does the substitution take more or less well, then?

Yes. Let’s see, I want more minutes, more games. But now I am more mature. In my time in Valencia I was much more angry for not playing. And it affected me. My quality of life was worse because I was always angry. He did not disconnect from football. Now I look at the positive things and think about the opportunity that is yet to come instead of thinking that I have not played the last game. This helps me to enjoy life more, to be better with my colleagues and to have the good friends that I already have here. But, of course, I am fighting to win more minutes and be a starter. I have come to start and play as many games as possible.

Do you feel that the coach has confidence in you?

Yes. The best example is that he put me in a game in the League. If you didn’t trust me, I wouldn’t have worn it. I talk to him a lot and he always tells me that I train and compete well. I was concerned with my knee. He has ‘Remi’, who he’s been with for two years, and he has me, whom he doesn’t know very well. I have been unable to prove almost anything here. It’s understandable that he’s staying with ‘Remi’ for now. I am convinced that he trusts me. I have to prove it in the field, it is what is missing. I’m ready.

Were you surprised to play in Granada?

No. He told me before the previous game, against Sevilla at home. I was walking with Aihen on the field, the coach called me, asked me how I was doing and told me that his idea was for me to play in Granada. Normally, he doesn’t give the line-up until the last talk, just before going to the stadium. It was a special moment. He wanted to help me prepare better. I played, I had a good feeling with the team and we won, which was the most important thing. Of course, you feel more part of the team when you play. I had a bittersweet taste because I touched the ball and was about to save the 2-2 penalty.

He went like crazy to the pineapple of 2-3

Yes. I just love winning. I am competitive and a winner. I went crazy with the winning goal. Enjoy it.

Has it fit well in the house?

It is the easiest and friendliest welcome I have ever had in my career. You can tell that it is a small and authentic family. Almost the entire squad is from here and it shows. People have helped and supported me from the first moment. I’m very comfortable.

How is your relationship with Remiro?

Very good. He has learned in my career that having a bad relationship with the other goalkeepers is worthless. It doesn’t help anybody. If you expect bad things to happen to the other goalkeeper, in the end it affects you. I don’t win anything if he plays badly and doesn’t help the team. The team and winning is the most important thing. The one that we form the goalkeepers is a small family within the family of the squad. We have to take care of each other. I could understand that he did not receive the news very well that he was not going to play in Granada, but his behavior with me was extraordinary. He gave me advice on his players, he told me who liked to shoot from the outside, for example. It helped me a lot. The next day I said: “I wanted to thank you for your way of being and helping me yesterday.” All goalkeepers don’t do that. I told him I was going to do the same. We get along really good.

Now there are seven games in 23 days, are you hopeful that they will give you another chance?

Yes. That’s why I train with everything I have, with all the intensity, in the short games, in the finishes, in the shots. I’m training like a fucking mother. And that helps me.

How is Ryan different from Remiro?

We have many things in common. We both have the ability to kick the ball with our feet. I have learned a lot from Remiro with the ball. His calm and his way of executing the passes is incredible. Sometimes I look at him from the bench and think: “How well he plays the ball.” And look what a paradón he made against Elche. I am shorter and I try to make the most of my physique. He has more reach. The club signs the goalkeepers that the coach wants. That is why we have such a similar profile.

Who is the best goalkeeper in the world now?

Oblak, Alisson, and Ederson. Then I would say De Gea, Neuer and Ter Stegen.

Who do you like in the league?

The level is very high. Always, Oblak. It’s another world, the data says.

Arconada was the best in his time, could he play now?

Of course football has evolved. Now everything helps us, the facilities, the technology and the most prepared technicians. Arconada and the goalkeepers of that time would have adapted to the game of today and would also be excellent goalkeepers.