Hungarian journal Nemzeti Sport prepared a lengthy interview with Vidi midfielder Adam Simon.
Sixteen league matches is the amount of games that the league leaders have not conceded a goal. Adam Simon feels that the plenty amount of practicing has been worth it. These are big figures. Videoton are not only impressive going forward but in their defending. That has resulted in 16 clean sheets in the 21 league matches played so far. This is a fete that is not achieved everyday. Many see the attacking side of Vidi and top goalscorer Nemanja Nikolics as a real strength, but they must not forget about the defensive side of the team. "Sixteen matches that Vidi have not let a goal in. "I knew that we had conceded few goals, but I had not heard about this statistic" - started Adam Simon, the 24 year old defensive midfielder of Videoton. "We have been practicing such a lot on the defensive side of our game in training, which has not been by accident. There are many times when the forwards head off alone, which leaves the others who are responsible for the stability of the team practice other roles. Various tactical elements are practiced at times like this as part of the program."
So the amount of practicing has been worthwhile. The Szekesfehervar defence has only let in goals against Győri ETO (two in the autumn and two in the spring match), DVTK (once), Debrecen (twice) and Dunaujvaros (once). The other sides were unable to beat Juan Calatayid. The eight goals that have been conceded count as a record. Debrecen most recently won the league title but conceded 33 goals (!). Manager Joan Carrillo likes attacking football, but he is clear with the fact that it is just as important that we do not let goals in" - commented Adam Simon.
– "So for Nemanja Nikolics the main task is to score goals, but he also has to play his part in defending. Defending our goal is not just down to the four defenders, or us in midfield but as I have already said, the forwards also need to do their bit."The harmony is very important, and this can only work with the suitable communication. "The coaching staff pay special attention to asking us to talk to each other on the pitch. The backline is made up of players from various countries, so English is spoken besides Hungarian. We cannot achieve success without suitable communication." The latest success is almost within touching distance, with Videoton leading the league table by 10 points with 9 games left to play. We know the mentality of the Fehervar side, so there will not be a single word spoken yet about the league title... "We simply would not like to shout out anything, exactly for the reason that we have won nothing - said Adam Simon. "If we sit back now and wait for the silverware to arrive, we will be making a very big mistake. There are nine league matches left to play and it would be good to win all of them. Oh, and I almost forgot: we should try and do it by conceding as few goals as we can."
Harder training sessions
Sunday's European Championship qualifier against Greece means that there will not be any first division games at the weekend. The question is whether Vidi are pleased that the break in the league campaign has come now. "It is a pity that there is no game at the weekend. We have slightly tougher training sessions at times like these - added Simon. Naturally if we beat Greece on Sunday, the break in the league campaign would not have been for nothing. I will be watching the match on TV together with my father. We will be supporting together in front of the screen."
Szerző: David Rechnitzer