“I’m around 80, 85 percent”

After the game against St. Gallen, Matías Palacios speaks for the first time about his move and what is bothering him.

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Matías Palacios, how did you experience the game against St. Gallen?

Matías Palacios: Very, very cold! It should be summer already. It was a very tough game, we had to win and thank God we won in the end.

The win was so important to keep second place. How do you analyze this positive result?

It’s always better when you win. This time we were even able to play in front of a few fans. So we are very, very satisfied. The group is very united. And yes, we had to win to make sure we stayed second. Thanks to Arthur Cabral’s goal, it worked.

The home game against Lugano in a week and a half should be a six-point game for second place. Would you agree with that?

There are still four games left and we will prepare just as well as the ones behind us. And of course we’re doing everything we can to stay second and play in Europe.

You could help with this – as you did against St. Gallen. After being substituted on, you had the feeling that the team was getting better and that there was more movement in the game.

I am always happy when I can help the team. And it’s nice when the team is actually getting better. We actually played a little better in the second half and came out of the dressing room well.

You have been in Switzerland for around two months. How is your life here?

When I came here, I was accompanied by my father and my agent. We stayed at the hotel for a month before I could move into an apartment. My father is now back in Argentina. So I now live alone, but I am very satisfied. I also like the city very much, it is very beautiful. If summer comes now, everything will be fine. The cold is killing me! (laughs)

How have you settled in? It is the first time that they have been this far from home.

To live it is the first time that I am so far away. But I was able to gain experience with the national team so far from home – we traveled to Spain, France and Russia. But of course, living here in Europe is something completely different.

Something else difficult?

It is of course a bit more complicated for me with the language. But that’s normal. With the national team they always said to us: learn English, learn English! But we always said: Later then. And now that I was going to need it, I realize it would have been good to listen to her. But in three weeks I’ll start learning English and German. And I’ve already learned a little Portuguese because I spend time with Arthur (Cabral), Jorge and Gonçalo (Cardoso).

You are considered a huge talent and would have had options to go to other clubs. Real Madrid, for example. Why did you choose FCB?

Yes, it is that Real Madrid and Barcelona were an issue during the U17 World Cup in 2019. When I came here now, there was also the option of Fiorentina. FCB came to me last September or October and signaled their interest. Then in January and February I felt most comfortable with what FCB was offering me. It was the best for me to come here.

Better than going to Serie A in Florence?

It was a family decision. I lived with my brother in Argentina and he told me to get away from San Lorenzo. So we as a family decided that I would go.

Does your brother make the important decisions for you?

Not that, but we talk to each other a lot. He is almost four years older. We always discussed everything in the family anyway. There are five of us at home and all five of us love football. My mom too.

You come from a large family. Now you live alone. How is that?

It works. Night week is my birthday and my mother would have come here, but unfortunately it doesn’t work with the pandemic. So my agent keeps me company so I’m not alone. I also have a lot of company with Arthur, Gonçalo and Jorge. We are a group, we do a lot. We go out, sometimes to restaurants, now that they are open. Or we do an asado at home. We have a connection because otherwise we are all alone here.

Not only is life here different for you, but football too. Where do you see differences?

Argentine football is very intense, tough. Here the rhythm – I noticed when I came here – a little quieter. But otherwise they are very similar.

Nevertheless, they were slowly introduced to the new league and are in five appearances. Against St. Gallen you had the feeling that you had slowly arrived.

The idea, as you say, was to get some time at the beginning, to adapt, to find my way around the city. So that I could settle in a little. But now, of course, the idea is to collect minutes and games until the season comes to an end. And then I can fully attack the next season.

But you are still missing a little, up to your 100 percent.

A little, yes. (laughs)

How much? Where are they standing?

80, 85 percent, I would say.

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