Suchý: "It felt amazing to be back on the pitch"
First Team
20.05.2020, 13:10
Marek Suchý made his third Bundesliga appearance for FCA in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Wolfsburg. In an interview with FCA Fan-TV, the defender spoke about being able to play again after a long time without football, the first game behind closed doors in FC Augsburg history and next weekend’s opponents, FC Schalke 04.
Despite the disappointment after losing 2-1 at home to Wolfsburg in front of the empty stands, Marek Suchý was pleased to be back on the pitch for FCA after a long break: "I was delighted to be playing from the start, I work towards that every day." This was the centre-back’s first appearance since Matchday 3. "On the one hand, it felt amazing to be back on the pitch, on the other, it was a bit strange without our supporters. We missed them, but that’s the nature of the current situation. I’m trying to see the positives and make the best of it."
Suchý: "We had been preparing for precisely this moment right from the start"
Suchý also commented on preparation for the first game back whilst in quarantine: "We had been preparing for precisely this moment right from the start. Last week in the hotel was very unusual, but it gave us time to concentrate and focus. It’s a real shame we weren’t able to reward our efforts with a result against Wolfsburg."
An atmosphere without supporters – an unfamiliar feeling for the defender
Marek Suchý was named in the starting XI for FCA’s game against the Wolves and he even had a hand in his team’s equaliser, challenging John Anthony Brooks to a header and forcing the Wolfsburg man to steer the ball towards his own net. The atmosphere in particular, however, without any supporters present to witness the Bundesliga restart, was a most unfamiliar feeling for the defender. "It was strange, especially to begin with – standing out on the pitch before kick-off with no fans in the stands is very unusual. Once you’re playing, though, you are fully focused." Suchý is in two minds over the game itself: "We wanted to be compact at the back, play aggressively and wait for the opposition to make mistakes. Conceding the first goal right before half time was unfortunate," said the 32-year-old, giving his analysis. "The second half was much better for us. We found our way into the game and got ourselves a goal. The next goal being ruled out for offside was gutting. Towards the end of the game, you could really see the quality Wolfsburg have."
We want to reach our required points tally as quickly as possible.
This coming Sunday (24 May, 13:30 CEST kick-off), FCA face a trip to Gelsenkirchen to face an opposition in poor form: FC Schalke 04 are without a win in eight games, losing four and drawing four. Nevertheless, Suchý has called for caution regarding Sunday’s opponents, but is also looking forward to the encounter. "I’m looking forward to the game against Schalke and the following midweek game. They may have quality in their squad, but they are beatable. We need to be well prepared and start the game positively. It will be difficult, but we want to reach our required points tally as quickly as possible."
