Matěj Vydra has more than a hundred starts in the Premier League and even more in the EFL Championship. Now he wants to help Viktoria in the fight for the league title and for the European Cups. “I want to be successful here,” said the striker clearly. The first interview was published in our magazine Viktorián, which was available for purchase during the match against České Budějovice.

Matěj, when was the first time you actually kicked the ball?
“It was in Chotěboř at a housing estate. I used to kick the ball against the wall there when I was 4 years old. My friend’s dad took me to football practice once and I have stayed with football ever since.”

The first important turning point came with your transfer to Jihlava.
“I was 11 years old. I first met Kopi (Jan Kopic) and Klímič (Jan Kliment) there and we were together in the team during the whole youth football era. Kopi was 2 years older, so we met later in the youth teams.”

Was any of you three already considered as a player of difference back then?
“Well, it’s hard for me to say, but it was me (he laughs). I already got into the men’s team when I was only 16. It was a huge step and difference for me, coming from children’s football into the senior category. It felt kind of weird, I was immature and inexperienced. But I scored right in my first match in the 2nd league and it helped me a lot.”

You three playing together in one team again, did it even cross your mind at that time?
“Not at all, not by chance. But it worked out well after all and I’m glad we can all play together again now.”

Have you always played in the offense?
“Sure! I enjoyed scoring goals and that still stands today.”

What were your football role models and dreams?
“Definitely Real Madrid, but the Premier league as well. It was my dream to play in England one day, and the dream came through. I spent 10 long years there in the end.”

What impressed you the most about the football in England?
“Actually, everything that’s happening there around football. For example, Super Sunday (a regular Sunday programme on Sky Sports TV) starts at 1pm and the experts discuss all about the teams with former players there. It ends around 7pm and everybody’s watching and really living it out, it’s unbelievable. Or transfer windows. The journalists and reporters spent all day from morning till midnight by the training centres and watch, who’s arriving in the cars. I loved the fans, the facilities, the stadiums, all of it. It’s a tough league to play, but it’s no coincidence it’s the best league in the world.”

Have you ever been a part of a trade right before midnight, when the transfer window was closing down?
“No, not during the Deadline Day. My transfers always came on time (he laughs).”

You played for Watford, Burnley, WBA or Reading. Could you compare your engagement in those teams?
“I started out in Watford, it was kind of small and family-run there. The first season was really chaotic, the new owner brought 15 new players with himself, in addition to the 20 already on the team. We had to put it together somehow, but in the end, we almost got promoted into Premier League! It was only the loss in the final match at Wembley that stopped us.”

You became a hero in the semifinals, the match itself is commonly described as one of the craziest in history.
“I scored the first two goals, but Troy Deeney was the hero in the end (he laughs). We were leading 2:1 and the match was going to overtime. In the nine-third minute, the referee whistled a totally made-up penalty in favor of the visiting team. If they had scored, they would have gone to the finals. But Almunia made two miraculous saves and it was us who scored right from the breakaway. We made it 3:1 and secured our way to Wembley. The fans stormed the pitch and then had to be escorted back to the stands. It was absolute madness and euphoria, I have probably never experienced such a thing anywhere else. It was a pity we didn’t manage to win the final match, but we were probably out of luck after the semifinals…”

You were selected a player of the season after that.
“That’s right, unfortunately, we did not reach the promotion back then.”

You played more than 100 Premier League matches. On which stadium did you enjoy playing the most?
“The best atmosphere is probably at Manchester United or at Liverpool, where the fans sing their anthem, “You’ll never walk alone” as the players enter the pitch. Until they finish singing, the referee is not allowed to blow the whistle. It was a powerful experience, really interesting. The worst memories are from the matches against Manchester City, my record against them is something like 0:25. We always allowed like 5 goals, they were the worst team to play against.

What about the life on the Isles, did it suit you?
“I don’t like heat, so it suited me. But if it rains for a weak, it’s not exactly walk in the park either. But I spent 10 years there in the end.”

So when you’ll be bringing the breakfast into the locker room, will it be English breakfast?
“Well, you make the breakfast for the team for late arrivals or some other violations, so I hope I won’t be bringing any breakfast at all (he laughs). And can you imagine the look on the coaches’ faces with all the sausages, beans and toasts?”

When you were considering and thinking about the offer from Viktoria, what was the decisive factor?
“The club facilities were one of the most important things for me. They’re really top-notch, so I knew right away that the conditions would be perfect. The second thing you look at is the head coach. I know Michal Bílek really well. And last but not least, the fans. I found out how they’re like already during autumn, when I attended some matches.”

Did you like the atmosphere they were making?
“It was nice! I know it’s a cliché, but the fans are really the 12th player on the pitch. In England, lots of goals are scored in the final minutes, when the fans make a lot of noise and help the team. Here in Pilsen, it was sold-out match and that was great, I loved that. And not only during the Champions League, I saw some league games as well.”

How did you fit in the team and in the locker room?
“A good locker room has certainly some influence on football itself. It’s important for the team when everything is working out in the locker room. And I have to say, we have a great team. We spent time together after the trainings, we always grab a coffee together or something. That’s not so usual abroad. It’s all about the individualities there. After the training, you just get in the car and go home.”

What’s your goal for the spring period?
“I came to Viktoria with one thing on my mind. At the end of the season, I want to lift the champions trophy above my head. That’s the goal. And the European Cups are also tempting.”

It’s a paradox, but you have never played the European Cups group stage.
“I played there only twice, always in the preliminary rounds. I played couple of minutes for Udinese and scored a goal, the same for Burnley in the Europa League. It’s really tempting to play these competitions and I would like to experience such games with the team.”

What do you do in your spare time, outside football? How do you relay?
“My daughter comes home from kindergarten and she’s all over me. She jumps on my head and neck all afternoon long. Sometimes we play Call of Duty with Kopi and Klímič, sometimes I watch some shows or series. I prefer to rest with my family, it’s good when you can switch off from football here and there.