Darinda: “Ares wants to win the Cup – Greeks are warm-blooded, they won’t be different”

The central midfielder of Aris gave an interview to the Sport.cz website, Vladimir Darida.

The 33-year-old Czech referred to the objective of the “yellows” to conquer it Greek Cup Betssonwhile he also addressed the issue of indoor courts and the referees’ strike because of the threats they received.

In detail, the statements of Vladimir Darida:

Aren’t you sorry it’s Christmas break? After the November layoff, you only missed one game.

“We were in shape, but at the same time it was nice to get away for a while. After the last match against Lamia, we were all disappointed: we were looking for victory, but in 95; we conceded a goal for 2-2. At the same time, half a minute before the end, we had a foul in the corner of the field near the opposing goal. It’s a shame, we could have been even closer to the top four»

How was your first year in Greece? You arrived in the winter after 7.5 years at Hertha Berlin.

“It was a good year. I played more or less all the games, had good numbers and there was more joy than frustration. I’m sorry we didn’t qualify for the Conference League in the summer, but even that is relevant. You can get lost here in Greece, but when you wake up the next day, the sun is shining outside the window and the clouds disappear faster. I also liked the local version of… summer, which lasted until November».

And how does the Greek league compare to the Bundesliga, in which you played for almost ten seasons?

“In Greece things are much more relaxed tactically, which is true for all teams except Panathinaikos. They play very open football here and usually think more about attack than defence. As a rule, many goals are scored and the fans have fun».

If of course they are allowed to be in the stands. Until February 12, the games will be played without spectators

“With the stadiums closed, it feels like a throwback to the Covid era. Sad subject. We’re playing for the world, but I totally understand that measure. An ARIS supporter was murdered and an injured police officer also died after Christmas. I hope people understand during the ban that this is not football. Cheering is about emotion, but it should never come down to life and death. I just don’t understand this».

Two weeks before Christmas, league boss Vangelis Marinakis resigned and before that referees went on strike due to death threats. What do your Greek teammates say?

“This is Greece. It will be difficult to change this and make the atmosphere around football calmer. The Greeks will be no different, they are hot heads. They take football very seriously».

How to get out of it?

“It’s a bit of a vicious cycle. In Greece, the owner of a league club can come into the referees’ room at half-time and argue with them. It looks like the neighbors in Turkey. Every step of the way here you meet nice people who are happy to help you, but as soon as football comes, it’s like they change heads».

I guess you and Aris fans are missing the cups, you were stopped by Dynamo Kyiv in the third qualifying round of the Conference League. Don’t you think you have a lot of free time?

“Sure, I can be at home more, but I also realize that my career is coming to an end. There won’t be that many chances to get to Europe. I would still like to play, the road can lead us, for example, through the Greek Cup. We are focused on him, the whole club wants to win the cup».

By the way, how about your Greek?

“They remain at a very low level. (smiles) I learned a few phrases, I can say hello and ask how you are. There are only two Greeks in the team and we have an English translator for the coach’s Greek».

And what about Czech? Besides you and Jakub Brambetz, ex-Sparta Prague player David Moberg Karlsson can do it too

“Kumba and I were surprised at how much he knows. Sometimes we talk to him in our own way so he can speak his Czech. There’s also a lot of Spanish in the locker room, but I don’t think I could use any of those words normally. (smiles)».

For Brambetz, what did you say about his performance at the national team meet? Two days before the decisive match of the EURO qualification, together with two of his teammates he went to a club.

“It was something the kids didn’t think much of. I was surprised, it’s not usually like that. They apologized, they regret it and it’s good for them that it ended up qualifying».

Speaking of the national team, don’t you miss it?

“I thought about the ending for a long time and I knew what I was doing. I wanted to be more with my family and watch the children grow up. This is still true, I support the national team at home in front of the TV».

So if the new coach of the national team calls you and wants you back…

“So I would have the same answer for him as for Mr. Silhavi. We talked once or twice and he asked me how I was doing. And when the question came up mid-speech if I had changed my mind, I told him no. It would be the same with a new coach».