“Outside the stadium I am a boy like any other. Am I a footballer? It means anything at all,” says Christos Zafeiris talking to Flashscore about his beginnings in Norway, his time in the Czech Republic, his decision. Represent Greece and his experience in the famous La Masia academy in Barcelona.
Before the season, Zafeiris lost his blonde hair and began to play with his skin. It’s as if his unique hair tied him up in the spring. He may not cope with the injury he picked up late in the winter and even left the starting lineup for a few games. There are no goals, no assists, no interaction. It may simply not take its past form.
We expected more from the midfielder who in the spring of 2023 was selected among the hundred most productive young footballers in Europe. There was even speculation that he could leave Slavia. However, he did not flee from the painting he creates and that is why he has become one of the pillars of the Prague club this season.
On Wednesday, Jindrich Trpisovsky’s side will count on him again, this time facing Ludogorets in Bulgaria to begin Slavia’s UEFA Europa League campaign.
Still itchy?
“I can’t wait, but I also know that the season not only fears Europe. We also need to succeed in the league, so we have to take the game seriously. It is difficult to establish the same way for duels with Ajax or maybe Karvina However, we have to do it.
It will be the first time playing in the new format. How do you like it?
“It will be a completely new experience for everyone. It is smart that we bet on more teams, we fight until the end and no team can give up. But this is just a first impression. It is too early to make an evaluation. “
You have a number of interesting opponents. Ajax, Frankfurt, Athletic Bilbao and Fenerbahce are teams that have long been among Europe’s top teams…
“I’m especially ahead in Bilbao, Spain, a wonderful team, a wonderful atmosphere, a lovely stadium. It will be something special!”
And you to Greece? The encounter with the PAOK will have a special meaning for you, don’t you think?
“For the first time in my club career, I will play in Greece, so I’m a bit curious to see how it will be. I’m really looking forward to it. It’s definitely the second most exciting game of the regular season for me after Bilbao.”
But you need to end up there, right? Do you have express goals in the competition?
“We want to go as far as possible. I think we have shown several times that we can compete with the best European clubs. So I believe we can go really far.”
You are strong, especially at home, as you confirmed in the Champions League qualifiers. But in the end, you were knocked out by Lille, does that still hurt?
“It’s hard to accept. We made a wonderful game in the rematch, we discovered a way to succeed against anyone. But unfortunately we do not invent the two -goal deficit. It would be wonderful to play in the Champions League. ” However, we have to look to the future.
In the qualifiers, you also tried your hand at a defensive role. In the duel against Royal Union, you were put in charge of the dangerous Cameron Puertas and practically didn’t let him into the game. How did the unusual role suit you?
“I have to say it was a challenge. I’m an offensive player, however, when the scenario calls for it, I’m satisfied to play that role. If the coaches assess that I can help as much as possible to personally keep an eye on the main star of the main star of the main Opponent, I will settle for this role without any challenge (smiles).
Would you like it?
“I enjoy being on the field. I don’t care where. The important thing for me is to be there. That’s enough for me to enjoy football.”
However, you were absent from the beginning XI in the spring. Was it something you found difficult?
“Nobody likes to be on the bench, but it’s a component of football. I tried to at least get something out of it. I worked hard in training, I talked to the coaches. I searched after showing that it deserved to be in the bank.
In the end, you’ve earned their trust. However, during the summer, the hypothesis distributed that he could be about to leave Slavia. Have you solved it?
“Not at all. I have not done the job. I know that any progress is accompanied through shorter failures, the vital thing is that they are not in the long term. You must be able to react in each step back, and that is what I am looking for doing the Principle of the season I looked for to prepare as more productive as imaginable and I think I had success quite well.
So good . . .
“However, I can’t be happy with that. The game may not be perfect, but I have to try to play the best I can. “
Have the coaches discovered what is the best role for you? It seems that you get along with Oscar Dorley in the middle of the park.
“I say that my position or my role in the box has been fundamentally replaced. Coaches still need me to do the same things as last year, but I think I’m old enough to follow their instructions. I’m looking to push harder ultimately, play more on the opponent’s 16 and get chances.
You left Greece with your parents when you were nine years old. Do you remember how hard it was for you then?
“It is very complicated for the total family. We had to start a new life in an absolutely foreign country. We did not know the language, we did not know any Ivery . . . In the end, football helped us all. ” Training
Really? How?
“I made friends temporarily. I just went out with the ball, met new people and temporarily learned to speak thanks to Norwegian. An important role in helping us integrate in Norway. “
How difficult was it to get used to Norwegian football? I can believe that young Norwegians are intelligent dogs.
“It was not the subject, rather I referred to another technique for young soccer players. In Greece, talented boys go to great clubs, in Norway that does not look like this. There is no academy where everyone is more productive. “
In addition, just before you moved to Norway, you had an internship at Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy. You went from training with the most talented young footballers in the world to being one of those guys who just play football for fun…
“I didn’t take it that way, I basically looked to play. Besides, in Norway I can laugh at football. In Barcelona it was more tension for me. I didn’t say a word of Spanish and I feel like I was out of position there.
So your first club outside of Greece and Norway became Slavia more than 10 years later. Weren’t you aiming higher? Maybe your youth team partner Oscar Bobb is already peeking into Manchester City’s first team.
“Not at all. The transfer to Slavia was important for me. In Norway I played for smaller clubs that were always at the bottom of the table. Suddenly, a team that wins trophies and regularly plays European Cups was interested in me. There wasn’t much to think about here.”
I guess it’s easy to get used to fighting for titles and matches in Europe, right?
“Well, it’s not easy at all. Every week, you make an attack here thinking you have to score 3 points. There’s nothing else to win. I didn’t know this kind of attitude until then. “
When you arrived, there were many announcements about the replacement of Nicolae Stancio. Did you understand this?
“To be honest, slightly at all. I knew that I had played here and very popular among the fans, however, I never sought to imitate or compare myself with anyone. From the beginning, I sought to be myself. I sought to show people what Christos Zafeiris can do .
Maybe one day when you leave, fans will compare the new signings to you…
“That would be nice, but I’m not thinking about leaving yet. I’m focusing on Slavia and I want to help them to the best results. If there is an offer for a transfer, so be it. I’m not dealing with it right now.”
But I suppose Slavia will not be the last step.
“Of course, I would be satisfied if I had the opportunity to move on. I would like to pass a step further, however, it is transparent to me that may not happen. Count with me and my performance. “
Do you like to play a club or league?
“My dream is to try one of the top four European competitions. I’m tempted by the Spanish LaLiga and Bundesliga, of course I’d also like the opportunity in England or Italy. The main thing would depend on my fit with the team and that they are really seriously interested in me. If such an offer comes, I will be ready.”