The game against Žilina is forgotten. From Sunday, Trenčín players have been focusing solely on another of the key duels. Goals are clear before the game against Dukla Banská Bystrica. Extreme concentration in preparation and enormous determination are positive signals towards the weekend’s match.

“We had very tough trainings in the beginning of the week. No, it was not coaches’ revenge for the loss in Žilina. We simply stiffened up in the prep. Everything is being done to succeed on Saturday. We have lost five times in spring and four out of those five games were lost because of tiny details. We believe that the time has come to win,“ assures the Dutch Thijs Sluijter. “I agree with Thijs. We have really geared up in the preparation. We have had very difficult and, at the same time, very quality trainings,” discloses Martin Kasálek whose captainship is over now that Csaba Horváth is back after a two-game ban. “It is not a problem for me. Csaba is the captain, I was only elected as his assistant.“

A strong team spirit is accompanying the team during the trainings. Even the rivalry between the players who play regularly and those waiting for their opportunity is very fair. “I am waiting for my chance although I must confess that I hate the role of a substitute. My performance was much better when I was in the starting lineup.

I have not been a “bench player” since my 18 but as I said I am trying to be patient,” offers an insight into the soul of a substitute Branislav Jašúrek having problems with an unpleasant injury during the preparation.

Filip Hlohovský is another one who has only been sitting on the bench in the first spring games. After a short episode as a substitute, he finally got into the starting lineup in the last two games. He was definitely one of the best players against Nitra and he was also visible in Žilina. “Those first rounds were really very difficult for me. I was therefore doing my best to get back among the best eleven,“ says the promising forward hoping for another chance in the starting lineup. “Our only aim against Bystrica is to get three points. Nothing else is interesting for us,“ demonstrates the atmosphere in the team the U21 national player.

“First of all, we have to concentrate on our own abilities. We have an unpleasant seven-point deficit and we would like to get rid of it step by step. It is important to make the first step already against Banská Bystrica. To reach this goal we all have to work very hard,“ concludes Thijs Sluijter.