Hungarians Abroad: The amount of love I get from outside makes me feel good – Attila Szalai

– You scored your first goal with Fenerbahce in Round 10 on Monday. How did you feel when you saw the ball end up in Konyaspor's goal net after the close-range shot?
– I felt boundless joy, answered our portal Attila Szalai, the Istanbul team's 23-year-old 8-time Hungarian national team defender who scored his team's leading goal in the 3-0 victory in the league. – I had opportunities to score, but unfortunately I missed them. I'm glad I could contribute to our win with a goal. It was a deserved win. In the first half, we did almost everything we had planned. Our defense worked well, we got a lot of balls, and led dangerous attacks.

– Ever since you made your team debut, you've played in every match in their entirety. How did you manage to become a key player so soon?
– I was welcomed by a friendly environment from the beginning. A lot of people helped me fit in, find a place to live or find myself in the city. Whatever question I had I could always turn to someone. It's the same with the team. I quickly came on the same wavelength as my fellow players. I don't have any communication problems. I speak English to the others, and when they say something in Turkish, there are always three or four interpreters around us who translate what is said to English, Spanish and French.

– What style of football does Fenerbahce play?
– We want to dominate all our clashes When the opponent owns the ball, we press high, so we can get it back as soon as possible.

– What's your role in team?
– I play mainly in the center back or full back left positions, and along with stopping the opponent's attacks, I am expected to play the ball forward as quickly and accurately as possible when getting it. Most of the time I only get close to the opponent's goal at corners and free kicks, my main task is to stabilize the defense.

– Fenerbahce's fanatical supporters like you very much based on your game you've shown so far. Do you feel their support?
– The club's press officer comes up to me from time to time and shows me some pictures made for me or comments. The amount of love I get from outside makes me feel good. I hope the fans will be back in the stadium soon; I wonder what kind of atmosphere they will create. I usually get good feedback from the professional staff and fellow players as well.

– Mesut Özil joined the club shortly after your arrival. What kind of a player did you get to know him as?
– He's a very good character and footballer, there's a lot to learn from him in every way. He's got amazing technical skills and he's outstanding how he sees on the field. I'm sad he's recently suffered an ankle injury and won't be available for the team for a while.

– Your club is currently third in the league, two points behind Besiktas that played a game less. Could you win the league title?
– After we were eliminated in the cup, this is our number 1 goal. There are 12 rounds left in the season, so we will do everything we can to succeed.

– The World Cup qualifiers start at the end of March. Do you think about the Hungarian national team from time to time?
– Of course. I think I'm safe to say on behalf of the other members as well that we look forward to working together. The successes in the fall gave us the strength to continue, and we want to continue performing well. I wouldn't venture too far ahead just yet because right now my main goal is to keep the three points at home against Genclerbirligi in the league this weekend.

– Such as with another Szalai goal?
– I'll do my best even if that's not my priority. I'm just as happy to bring the games down to zero at the back.

(Translated by Vanda Orosz)