"I’ve never given up in my career. Never!"
"I’ve never given up in my career. Never!"
As strange as it might be to say during times of a global pandemic, the last few months have been all-round positive for Peter Pekarik. After the Bundesliga restart, the right back played eight games from start to finish, only missing the meaningless final game of the season through injury. One look at the stats only makes this more impressive, as the 33-year-old’s only season appearance prior to this run of eight full games was back in February. Under Bruno Labbadia, the Hertha veteran, endearingly named ‘Mr. Reliable’, was able to fight back – and not for the first time! After all, the situation was nothing new for the Slovakia international. His sacrifice and effort for the team ended up earning him a new contract. In an interview with herthabsc.de, Pekarik spoke about the last six months, his get-up-and-go personality and his motivation ahead of next season.
herthabsc.de: Peter, probably the most-asked question these days: How is preseason going, and how does this annual struggle feel for you after all these years as a professional?
Pekarik: Preseason training is very intense and demanding. We’re training two or three times every day. It’s physically draining but we all know why we’re doing it. The benefits of a tough preseason can be felt for the entire season.
herthabsc.de: The summer break came to an end about two weeks ago now, and chill-time feels like a thing of the past, but let’s take a look back: How did you spend the time off?
Pekarik: My summer break was nice, thank you. I spent the first few days in Berlin just relaxing. After that I went to Dubrovnik in Croatia with my wife, Lujza, for two weeks. There weren’t that many tourists around while we were there, so we were able to really enjoy the city and the beaches. We then went to our holiday home in Slovakia with no neighbours in the middle of the forest. I went for a jog in the fresh air every morning – I was able to complete our training plan comfortably there.
herthabsc.de: Just before your holiday you signed a new contract with the capital city club, so you were presumably in a great mood. This means you are now the longest-serving active Hertha player. Does that make you proud?
Pekarik: I was very happy about the appreciation Hertha showed in offering me a new contract. Both parties wanted to continue working together – that was a good feeling – the extension means an awful lot to me. Next season will be my twelfth in Germany, my ninth in Berlin. Having spent the majority of my career at this fantastic football club, with so much history, makes me very proud, but also grateful. It’s not common to stay at a club for so long, but it’s all the more special for me now knowing that my time in blue and white is not over yet (smiles).
herthabsc.de: But the last few years have not been easy for you as a full-blooded professional who always wants to play. In the 2017/18 season you made 17 Bundesliga appearances. The following year you only made three. How do you manage to not only stay motivated, but also to remain committed to the team and above all always be there when the team needs you?
Pekarik: I was actually a first-team regular at Hertha for six years and even led the boys out as captain from time to time. In the last few years, however, I’ve had lots of little injuries to deal with, which resulted in me not being in a position to properly fight for my place in the team. Obviously it wasn’t easy to play so few games, but I always had the desire and the drive to fight my way back and help the team once again, which helped me. I’ve never given up during my career. Never. Professionalism is more than just a word for me. Professionalism to me means not only working hard individually and as a team placer. To me, professionalism is a healthy way of life, which always drives me. If I continue to work consistently on the details, I know that I will always love playing football.
herthabsc.de: Not for nothing, you’ve earned yourself the nickname ‘Mr. Reliable’ here. You’re very popular among supporters because of your exemplary attitude. Does it still bother you when pundits or outsiders write you off?
Pekarik: I’m very happy about the fans’ positive opinion of me. They are the ones who cheer us on in every game. I think they appreciate the fact that I’ve been giving my best for Hertha BSC for so long. Playing in front of them really motivates me and I feel good ahead of the new season.
[>]I think the fans appreciate the fact that I’ve been giving my best for Hertha BSC for so long.[<]
herthabsc.de: Last season (2019/20) was a bit of a rollercoaster for you as a team, but also less than satisfactory for you personally. It wasn’t until mid-February under Alexander Nouri when you played your first game – a relegation battle in Paderborn – and you got the nod to start as well. You put in a good performance, you won, but you also got injured. Looking back, what was going through your mind at the time?
Pekarik: Obviously the four managerial changes had taken their toll on the team, that wouldn’t have been any different at another club. It was anything but an easy season, which is why we were all happy to be mid-table by the end. And true, it wasn’t always easy for me either – all I could do was prove myself at training and wait for my chance. Fortunately I then got my chance in Nouri’s first game and it ended with three crucial points – that was pivotal, even though the injury was very disappointing.
herthabsc.de: You missed the following three games with a calf injury, then the corona pandemic struck, the season was put on hold and Bruno Labbadia was appointed as head coach. Talk us through your experience of the lockdown and the Bundesliga restart.
Pekarik: We weren’t playing well before the break, the results were poor, as was our position in the table. When Labbadia came in as coach he changed a lot of things. We trained intensely, which was above all noticeable in our physical presence. We also put a lot of focus on tactical details though, which saw us change our organisation on the pitch. More compact defending and our pressing spells meant that we made it more difficult for our opponents. Up front we were also a lot more flexible – we went into games with more than one plan. Of course I was delighted that the new coach put his trust in me after the restart. I wanted to repay that trust and help the team with my performance.
herthabsc.de: On the whole, the final stages of the season somewhat made up for the rest. That said, you had another personal goal to achieve this season: Playing at the EUROS. You and the Slovakia national team were actually supposed to be play in the playoffs. Currently, you have 91 international caps. Taking part in the European Championship and getting to 100 caps – is that your ultimate goal now?
Pekarik: I was at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the 2016 EUROS in France – I have to say the atmosphere at these tournaments was something else and I would obviously love to experience that again. We’ve got an important playoff game against Ireland in autumn to try and reach the 2021 finals. Reaching 100 international appearances is a huge milestone – something which every player wants to achieve. I will try my best to get to that number.
herthabsc.de: You’ll want to be trying your best in Berlin as well.
Pekarik: Most definitely! Hertha is my priority (smiles). I want to help the team again and most importantly, our target is to have a better season than last!