Teammates helped me regain my confidence

Matej Delač, the 22-year-old goalkeeper of FK Sarajevo, who joined the "bordo" team at the beginning of this year from FK Vojvodina, but as a player of the big London club Chelsea, told the BH news agency Patria (NAP) that he is pleasantly surprised by the positive atmosphere in the club, the kindness of his teammates, and the quality of the Premier League. Delač says that the image of domestic BH football is not nearly as bad as some media portray it.

- It is very nice in Sarajevo. The whole team behaves very professionally. I am very satisfied with the entire environment – Delač told NAP.

Commenting on the conditions he had at Chelsea and those he now has in Sarajevo, he said that there are differences in infrastructure, but that players in Sarajevo also have everything they need for the club to achieve great results.

- At Chelsea, you have everything, from some technical aids to the best stadiums and training grounds. But, the conditions in Sarajevo are no worse either. Our physiotherapists in Sarajevo are just as good as those I had in London – says Delač.
He revealed to NAP that before coming to Sarajevo, he also contacted the most popular coach in the world, Žoze Murinjo, who manages the first team of the London club.

- We had several contacts. I told him about my move to Sarajevo. He just nodded and said, good luck – Delač revealed.

In his debut appearance in Sarajevo, Delač conceded a rather naive goal in Zenica, when his team lost to Čelik. He says he entered the match fully prepared, but that a mistake simply happened.

- It was difficult for me, but the players, management, and fans helped me regain my confidence quickly. The atmosphere in the club is truly incredible – he adds. 

When asked by NAP journalists how important it was for him that Malaysian businessman Vinsent Tan became the owner of the Koševo team upon his arrival in Sarajevo, Delač says that it is a big plus for the club, but also a responsibility for the entire team.

- You have someone behind you who will provide you with the conditions to work, but who also expects responsibility from you – he adds. Delač was born in Gornji Vakuf. He played for NK Inter from Zaprešić, where he was the youngest player in the Croatian Football League. He signed a five-year contract with the English club Chelsea in 2009. His current market value is estimated at around 750,000 euros.