THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS GETTING BACK HOME
How would you describe yourself as a driver? Are you a calm one or do you get angry behind the wheel?
I’m a calm driver. I see driving as a way of relaxing so I don’t get angry. For me, driving is a way of recharging my batteries. Sometimes I like to enjoy a fast ride, but everything in moderation. I have my family.
Did your driving change when your daughter was born?
I never drove like a madman. The fact that there is always someone waiting for me at home was always on my mind. Anything can happen on the road - and I'm not the only one who would be affected. So, the most important thing is always getting back home.
What role does a car play in your life?
An important one. It’s my daily partner. I need to drive to my training sessions. I used to drive my daughter to her kindergarten but now she goes to one that is closer to our house. But I spend a lot of time in my car daily.
Do you keep your interior clean?
Sure. Men always keep their cars all tidy and don’t care about anything else. So yes, I am a typical man. (laughing)
Are you one of those people who like a long journey?
Driving relaxes me. I listen to music or make hands-free phone calls. Behind the wheel, I always manage to make the calls I postpone when I’m with my family. When I’m driving I’ve got plenty of time to deal with all of those. I used to drive for ten hours from Ostrava to Basel or back and I didn’t mind at all. When I came back to Ostrava I was absolutely fresh. I like driving, even with my family.
Any favourite albums or do you listen to the radio?
I like to listen to Spotify. I got a whole audio system at home and I connected everything with Spotify. I’m really excited about this. I have my phone paired with the car, not just because of the hands-free but also because of music. Since I’ve moved to Spain I’ve been mostly listening to reggae, reggaeton and urban music.
What language do you set your car Sat Nav to?
Czech, but I turn the sound off. I don’t like it when it talks to me. All of my car systems are set to Czech.
Do you hate people who tend to comment on your driving?
I don’t really know, because my wife doesn’t and I don’t do that to her either. I am the kind of a passenger that sits and either reads or sleeps.
"My daughter is delighted when I wave at her during a match." photo: Radek Mauer, X Production
As a goalkeeper, you need to have really fast reflexes and keep track of what’s happening in the field. Do you think you use these abilities behind the wheel as well?
I think sportsmen have better peripheral vision and anticipation skills than others, so yes I think I do. I try to anticipate a lot and look further than right across my bonnet. That’s what our dad taught me and my brother: to always anticipate and be aware of all the things that could happen. Life can completely change within one second so it’s good to be alert all the time.
Technology is progressing so fast that we cannot really do anything with our own cars anymore. But still, are you one of those who can repair their own car?
I can change the wheel and that’s it. I always go to the repair shop. They have the right gear and know what they’re doing.
Has football also made progress?
It’s faster these days. As for the football and football shoes, the technologies have really progressed, which makes things a bit harder for us goalkeepers. You do not really have to have a good technique or strength and can still score from 27 or 30 metres. When I started with football you didn’t see such goals. Nowadays it happens every weekend. Someone scores from 25 metres and we have a TV news goal.