Markovič | Motivation for work to come
26.8.2019, Klub
Slavia third goalkeeper Jakub Markovič made his maiden start in first team on Saturday against Bohemians 1905 and managed to keep the clean sheet.
In the age of 18 years and 1 month, Markovič became the second youngest goalkeeper to keep the clean sheet in Czech top tier (he managed it even earlier than former Chelsea and Arsenal keeper Petr Čech). He thus helped Slavia in an important 4-0 win over local rival just 4 days before the Champions League play-off second leg against CFR Cluj.“I was told I would play two days before the game. I was looking forward. Of course, I was nervous, but it was outweighed by how much I was looking forward to playing. My teammates helped me a lot, they accepted me in the team. They understood that Koli [Ondřej Kolář] cannot get injured and that I should start. They helped me to feel fine before the game,” Jakub Markovič says.
Slavia have made 10 changes into the starting line-up before the game against Cluj, but the young keeper did not anticipate his maiden start at all. “I had no clue and I was not thinking about it. I was playing for the reserves and haven’t focused on whether I might start for the first team. It just came and I hope I haven’t disappointed anybody. I haven’t even realised changes into the starting eleven. Our team consists of equal players and I don’t realise whether plays one or another,” the 18-year old goalkeeper added.
“To play in small Prague derby is a great motivation for me to continue my work. So that this wouldn’t be my last start. I want to help the team every time,” Markovič concluded.
