Jan Durica: ‘The Cup victory made the team happy’

Lokomotiv defender Jan Durica who picked up a serious injury in spring is with the team in Austria working by an individualized recovery plan. In an interview with the Press Service Jan says how he followed the Russian Cup final, how great it feels to be a father, and when he is going to be back.

- Despite I am injured I feel a happy man. My daughter Nina is two months old, I enjoy every day of her company, - says Jan. - The team made me happy, too, winning that Final.

- Where were you on that day?

- I was in Slovakia. In the morning I sent messages to the teammates with the words of support. I was following the live text commentary and it was extremely exciting. Read every line and imagined how the things were going on on the pitch. When Kuban scored I got so angry I turned off the computer. Then calmed down in the silence and turned it on again. Soon we leveled, 1:1. Then took the lead, 2:1, and I started believing we could win. In such cases psychology changes and it did so to our advantage. I felt the guys would make it.

- It must be a real test for you - to give all you can for the win but not to be able to take part in the last battle?

- Of course it is annoying. It’s something inside. You play, and you feel okay, but then an injury stops you. I wanted to live through that great moment when you climb on the pedestal, get a medal and then lift a cup above your head.

- Jan, you’re a Russian Cup winner, like everyone else!

- I understand. But I’m talking about when you’re right there, a winner! I’m happy for all of us. I see that this victory made the team happy and allowed us to look straight to the future without fear. There’s the Europa League ahead, and it’s interesting, it’s a move forward.

- Due to the recovery you missed some important events, like the change of the manager.

- Yes, Miodrag Bozovic has left. I know he really cared about the result. And I saw he gave all his power to the team. Even the retirement decision that he took was for our own good. And I respect his decision. As for Igor Cherevchenko, I am impressed by his achievement - he has won the Cup as a player and as a coach. He’s a real cup fighter.

- Let’s talk a bit more about your recovery. When are we going to see you on the pitch?

- I had a surgery in Finland, then there was the first stage of recovery. We discussed that with Lokomotiv president Olga Smorodskaya, I asked her to allow me to go through the necessary procedures back home in Slovakia. I am thankful to her for letting me do this. She knew what the birth of a daughter would mean to me. So if there’s this coincidence, - the injury and the daughter’s birth - why not make an exception?

As for the full training… The doctors told me the recovery would take three or four months. Two months have passed already. I feel good. And it’s strictly forbidden to go ahead of the schedule, I have to move step by step. Otherwise I can hurt myself. Here in Austria I practice two times a day, like the rest of the team. In the morning I do running exercises, in the evening there’s gym work. After the training camp I will go through another medical check to get an approval to advance to the next stage.