RB keeper about suffering
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In the 2-0 win against Union Berlin, Péter Gulácsi was between the posts for the Bundesliga club RB Leipzig for the first time this season after recovering from a torn cruciate ligament. In an interview, the 33-year-old Hungarian gave insights into his long period of suffering, the fear of the end of his career and commented on the question of changing.
The 1.90 meter tall goalkeeper, who has been under contract with the Saxons since 2015, had to go under the knife two more times after the actual knee operation. “I was very lucky in misfortune, otherwise I would probably have been close to the end of my career. The problems came after six weeks, suddenly out of nowhere. I got a fever and needed two additional surgeries. There were bacteria in the knee, so everything was cleaned again. That was another shock and extended my rehab by two or three months. We didn’t know what the knee looked like. In this respect, I am very happy that I am healthy now,” Gulácsi reported to the “Picture“-Newspaper.
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The keeper is one of the longest-serving professionals at RB and has played 288 competitive games in the past nine years. The 51-time international player revealed that he was “to some extent” afraid for his football career as a result of the injury: “Many athletes have already managed to get back to top level after a torn cruciate ligament. But there are just things that you can’t control. I know how competitive sport works and knew at that moment that I wouldn’t be able to perform competitively for at least nine months.”
During this time, Gulácsi repeatedly sought exchanges with other goalkeepers who had struggled with injuries in the past. “I kept in touch with Manuel Neuer, who was also seriously injured. I also spoke to Mark Flekken; he tore his cruciate ligament very early in his career. And I am in contact with Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. He knows that he can always reach out if he has any questions. I also told him what I found important for the rehab as a goalkeeper and what I might do differently looking back. I think it can help to talk to someone who has experienced an injury like this.”
The goalkeeper, whose former peak market value of 13 million euros has now fallen significantly (on the course), now looks back thoughtfully on his rehab: “I recently looked at photos from January a year ago. Back then, I could only walk on crutches and couldn’t even do one-legged squats, which are pretty normal things. I have experienced many highlights in my career: Champions League semi-finals, cup victory. But suddenly I could be just as happy when I did a sprint. You become humble. These little things pull you up. Then you see the team training on the other pitch, you see where you want to go. The last step is always the most difficult. But the excitement, the fire is still there. I’m back to 100 percent now and I’m looking forward to everything that comes.”
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It remains to be seen whether he can assert himself as number one again at the Bundesliga club and displace rival Janis Blaswich between the posts. “Janis just did it well. And when I started training with the team again, we were already in the middle of September, and then there were many English weeks with few training sessions. There was no reason for a change, regardless of what I did for the club and how long I was number one before. Above all else, the success of the team is important. Now we had a phase in which we were not so stable. And the coach decided that he wanted to give a new impulse,” said Gulácsi.
The relationship with the 32-year-old is good, confirmed the Hungarian, whose contract runs until 2025 and who wants to continue to face the competition. “We have a lot of respect and appreciation for each other. I’m a good person and I try to treat everyone like that, no matter who’s in the lead. It wasn’t an easy situation for Janis after my injury either. He had to work from one day to the next and gave a lot. Nevertheless, I always tried to give 100 percent and wait for my chance.”
An early departure in the winter was not an issue for the goalkeeper: “There was concrete interest from the Premier League. But I realized that I would get the chance here at some point. And it was a clear no-go for the club. In this respect, the issue was quickly put to rest for both sides.” The professional announced that they would not get together until March at the earliest with a view to a possible contract extension. When asked whether he would be content with a place on the bench from next summer when another keeper, Genk’s Maarten Vandevoordt, joins RB, Gulácsi said: “Let’s put it this way: I was number two so far also fulfilled this role fully professionally. Three weeks ago the situation looked completely different. And yet I accelerated. What happens after summer is just speculation. And I’m always very careful. You then have to see the overall situation. The most important thing is that the performance is right up until then.”
Gulácsi on the chance of the European Championship with Hungary: “Big sayings are of no use”
Gulácsi described his chance of finding his way back to number one in the national team and guarding Hungary’s goal at the European Championships in Germany as “difficult. Dénes Dibusz did very well during my injury and we qualified directly for the European Championships. And until this Sunday I had only played three games. I have good contact with national coach Marco Rossi, I was there in September and that gave me a lot. I really enjoy being with the national team. What role I will play in the summer remains to be seen. Of course I would like to be in goal at the European Championships. But there’s no point in saying big things.”
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