László Bénes – when first place is the only goal

The still only 25-year-old midfielder ran out onto the pitch after changing sides and contributed, as usual, to erasing the deficit with an assist. Why, how else? It was already his ninth this year, in the aforementioned statistical indicator he is the best in the entire competition. In the last eight league matches, he entered the action in only seven of them! We also talked about that with him.

The midfielder of the German second division Hamburg LÁSZLÓ BÉNES has the most assists in the entire competition

What do you think about the course of the match in Heidenheim?

“It’s hard to say anything about the first half… It was a disaster. We were losing 0:3 away from home, while before the match we emphasized its importance. Heidenheim was behind us by four points. If we had won, we could have leapfrogged the opponent by seven points. In the end, we have to accept a draw, as the match went very badly for us. After the goal at 0:1, the second and third came quickly.

The coach sent me to the field for the second act. I believed that we could still win something, since we have a quality team. We reduced it to 1:3 and I felt that we did not lack confidence. We showed character and confirmed that we never give up. We fought until the last minute and finally got a point in a situation when probably no one thought we could do it.”

Do you remember a wilder match in your career?

“Ugh, not really. However, I have already experienced several games where we were losing after the first half and managed to turn it around. But I don’t remember one in which we were able to work our way from 0:3 to a point.”

Well, you helped him win with an assist. Did you feel good on the field?

“Yes, but it would be better if I played from the beginning. During the winter, however, I was troubled by a minor muscle injury, I did not play a single preparatory match, and therefore the coach did not put me in the starting line-up in the first spring duels. Although I have felt 100% fit since the beginning of the spring semester, our coach decided this way.

I am glad that I helped the team at least in the second half. Those of us who came on the field during the meeting had a big part in the settlement. I’m glad that it finally turned out this way and I believe that in the next meeting I will get the opportunity from the beginning.”

The statistics are in your favor. How about leading the league in assists and having an assist in seven of your last eight games?

“I am very happy that I am doing well and that the statistics confirm it. It just turns out that it was right to come to Hamburg before the start of this season. I want to help the team advance to the first Bundesliga not only with numbers. Every time I start, my goal is to give my best for the team. There is a big goal ahead of us.”

You are currently second in the table, four points behind Darmstad. Is there satisfaction in the club in this regard?

“That’s all right. Believe me, the matches in the second Bundesliga are not easy, especially on the turf of opponents from the lower ranks, who do not want to play football very much and just fight until the last minute in order to get a point. If we want to progress, we have to win in such meetings as well. I will be happy if we stay on a positive wave until the end and advance. I would prefer if we were promoted from the first position.’

The first and second advance directly, the third plays a treacherous tie for participation among the elite with the sixteenth team of the first Bundesliga. So it is probably primarily important not to let anyone in front of you…

“I’m only looking at first place. I don’t think about what this or that is enough for us. When we win the competition, everything will be clear…”

The second Bundesliga is often referred to as the toughest second-tier competition in the world. You already experienced it in the spring of 2019 when you were visiting Kiel. So what makes it specific?

“In a way, it’s more difficult than the first, considering that it’s combative and physically demanding. The highest competition is dominated by technical players, the second highest by fighters. It’s amazing that even at this level I’m playing in front of sold-out stadiums. Regardless of the opponent, more than 50,000 fans come to our game. That is a really huge number for the second league. I enjoy every match and I believe that we will advance. We want to compete with the best. It is the goal of the club and of course also my ambition. I believe we can do it.”

Let’s get back to your personal stats. You have already made twenty starts this season. Did you need something like this?

“Certainly yes. In Mönchengladbach I was not getting the space I wanted and my clear goal was to move to another address. I’m glad it worked out like this, I play regularly and feel like an important member of the team. I want to help the team on the pitch in the next matches as well.”

We already mentioned that you are the leader of the entire competition in the number of assists. However, how satisfied are you with the two goals scored?

“Not too much… I know that I have the quality to push forward more often. I’m getting chances and that’s important. In Mönchengladbach, I usually started in the number six position, i.e. as a defensive midfielder. First of all, I had to focus on defense and building attacks. In Hamburg, I play as a so-called eight or ten, which means I am closer to the goal and my task is also to get into chances and prepare them. So far, I have more assists to my account, but I believe that the goals will still come.”

Photo gallery

Benes László

Source: TASR

With your increasing playing time and good performances, things are turning positive for you in the national team as well. In autumn matches, under the guidance of coach Francesco Calzona, you started playing in the starting line-up. Are you currently experiencing the most successful period in your career?

“When I was going through difficult times, I always believed that I could achieve nice things in my career. I have high goals. If there is an unsuccessful phase in football life, I take it as a natural part. I don’t lack self-confidence. I know what I’m good for and what’s in me. I work hard every day to achieve my ambitions. Now I am doing well and I believe that I will continue to play in the national team.

I am very grateful for the chance given by coach Francesco Calzona. I will do everything to play the best matches possible and help the national team to reach Euro 2024, which is a big goal for all of us. The first meeting of the year is just a few weeks away, I can’t wait.”

How did the arrival of coach Francesco Calzona help you personally?

“He is a coach who experienced successful years in Italy under the leadership of great personalities such as Luciano Spalletti and Maurizio Sarri. He has already experienced something in football. There is a great atmosphere in the national team, everything went together well. The coach has his preferred system and knows what he wants from us. We try to learn it as quickly as possible.

It is known that we pay a lot of attention to tactics, and I think you can already see that on the pitch. During the fall, our performances grew from match to match. It hasn’t shown much in the results yet, but they will only start to matter now. I believe we will achieve victories.”

Due to previous failures, Slovakia found itself only in the fifth performance basket before the Euro 2024 qualification draw. Finally, you will fight for the championship against Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg. How do you perceive these opponents?

“It is known that today you don’t have an easy time against anyone. Even in the League of Nations, we were convinced that we have to prepare very responsibly for each opponent. The favorites are, of course, the Portuguese, but I personally think we have what it takes to advance to the championship. I believe that we will manage it.”