Dunajská Streda footballers will open the new season on Thursday in the European Conference League, where they will face Georgia’s Dila Gori. However, they are already thinking about the league, in which they will present themselves with several changes in the squad compared to last season.
Coach Adrián Guľa perceives the Georgian team as a difficult opponent: “We know that it is a European confrontation with an opponent that has an international team. Information is already available today, but we chose live scouting and got valuable information. We had enough time to analyze and prepare. The decisive thing will be how we handle it on field. We know what to expect. It will be a different confrontation than a year ago, when we had a weaker opponent. We know that we have an unpleasant opponent, but we always want to do our best to advance.”
Captain Zsolt Kalmár had the same opinion about the first preliminary round, who also awaits a difficult double match: “We have a tough match ahead of us, against a strong opponent. We know that it is a team that attacks a lot, it will not be easy to get past them. Five years ago, we also played against the Georgian team, and it was not easy even then. Our goal is to win at home and away advance.”
DAC will enter against the team from Georgia with humility. “There is respect from our side. Football in Georgia is on the rise. The last time their under-21 national team played very well, they have good players in the European leagues. That’s why the respect. In Gori, the coach has been with the team for a long time, they have good ball possession and pressing situations. They have interesting players, not only domestic, but also foreign. It’s only the first preliminary round, but we can already meet a difficult opponent.” Guľa added
THE STAFF HAS UNDERGONE A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE
Adrian Guľa, source: TASR
The yellow-blue squad underwent a significant change before the summer. “I will return in May. After the emotions subsided, we did an internal analysis. The contracts of Andzouan, Gavrič and Blackman expired. We all wanted to extend it, but only Andzouan and Gavrič managed to do it. As for Blackman, this also brings football, we will be stronger even without him. The analysis showed that we need to strengthen in the middle. There was a lack of greater variability and we focused on this position. People perceived that mainly players who worked with coach Guľ in the past came, but we were looking for those who can help immediately .
The transfer window is still open. Many players left in the summer, we still need to add to the squad. We are also satisfied with the young players. Vitális worked well in Győr, Szolgai went from the academy to Šamorín and then to us, and this is a long-term process. I told the team that I expect ten percent more from everyone, including myself. If we succeed, we can achieve our goals. There are goals and dreams, but reality must be perceived. If we add another ten percent, ambitions can come true,” said sports director Jan Van Daele.
MULTIPLE SCENARIOS IN THE CASE OF KRSTOVIČ
Adrian Guľa and Zsolt Kalmár, source: TASR
DAC kept last season’s top scorer Nikola Krstović in the squad. “We signed a long-term contract with Krstović back in March and we set clear ideas. We certainly do not want to sell him at any price. As long as it makes sense and all parties are satisfied, we are open. The reality is that there are clubs that are informed, but nothing concrete. We’ll see what the next few months bring. If he leaves, we have a back-up plan, we have several scenarios ready.” dodal Van Daele.
As many as eight players left the DAC squad. A noticeable loss is the long-standing supports from the defense. After the expiration of the contracts, Dominik Kružliak signed for the Greek Volos, Cesar Blackman will wear the jersey of Slovan Bratislava. Sebastián Nebyla will continue with Croatian NK Istra, and defender Eric Davis is currently without a club. Defender Filip Kaša, midfielder Aleš Čermák and forward Matej Trusa came from Pilsen. Both Kaša and Trusa have extensive experience with the Slovak league. DAC hired Konrad Grusznovský from Wisla in Poland, and young Norbert Urblík came from Győr in Hungary.
“The core of the team stayed together. It can also be seen in training that the players know about themselves and see what they can expect from the other players. Players who know our way have arrived and that is what speeds up the adaptation. I am glad that the team showed progress during the preparation, like the speed of the game, compactness in pressing situations. The two past matches, during which we scored 9 goals, will definitely give us a lot of strength. I’m glad that Matej Trusa fits into the concept, he showed that he can be an asset. Also Filip Kaša, or the young players. For me, it’s important that the core stayed together, that’s what I’ll rely on,” said Guľa.
The players also felt the change in the squad, but according to captain Kalmár, it is not felt in the team’s game. “There were quite a lot of changes, but everyone fit into the team. Also thanks to the fact that they joined a team that works. Every new player will be an asset immediately. Players who are motivated and talented have arrived. It was evident that in the last 2-3 games the game team was ready.”
The Hungarian legionnaire is fully prepared for the new season: “I’m doing well physically and mentally. At the end of the season, I had better and worse matches. But now there’s nothing stopping me from getting back into top form. I’m looking forward to the new season.”
Dunajská Streda squad for the 2023/2024 season:
Goalkeepers: Samuel Petráš, Dániel Veszelinov, Attila Németh, Erik Gyurakovics
Defenders: Spyros Risvanis, Mateus Brunetti, Filip Kaša, Norbert Urblík, Alex Mendez, Alex Pinto, Damián Kachút, Konrad Gruszkowski, Márk Csinger, Yhoan Andzouana
Midfielders: Milan Dimun, Zsolt Kalmár, Miroslav Káčer, Dominik Veselovský, Aleš Čermák, Ammar Ramadan, Máté Szolgai, Milán Vitalís, Riquelme
Attackers: Željko Gavrič, Matej Trusa, Nikola Krstović, Giannis Niarchos, Zoran Záhradník
Arrived: Filip Kaša (Pilsen), Aleš Cermák (Pilsen), Matej Trusa (Pilsen), Konrad Gruszkowski (Wisla Kraków), Željko Gavrić (Ferencváros), Norbert Urblík (ETO Győr), Márk Csinger, Milán Vitális (ETO Győr, return from guest .), Máté Szolgai (Šamorín, return from loan), Erik Gyurákovics (Šamorín, loan), Attila Németh (DAC U19)
They left: Dominik Kružliak, César Blackman, Sebastian Nebyla, Ahmet Muhamedbegović, Andrija Balić, Eric Davis, Ricardo Ferreira (all contract termination), Regő Szánthó (Ferencváros, loan termination), Norbert Balogh (Kisvárda, loan), Martin Rymarenko (Banská Bystrica), Ákos Szendrei (Kecskemét, loan), Damián Kachút (Šamorín, loan), Lukas Leginus (Šamorín, end of loan)
2023-07-12 12:30:00
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