Exclusive: Karim Metmour opens his heart to Echorouk: “I invite all Algerian fans to continue supporting the Desert Warriors until the last moment because they need a real and strong stand to get back to the playoffsâ€
Echorouk had an exclusive interview with the Algerian international Karim Matmour following the end of the match between Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayern Munich for the German championship.
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Karim Metmour played for 13 minutes after an absence of nearly two months due to injury, as he expressed joy at his return to the atmosphere of competition and intention to restore technical level.
The Algerian striker sent a clear message to the Algerians, including a promise to show a good performance in the future, asking them for more support to the Desert Warriors, as was the case during the playoffs of the CAN and World Cup 2010.
Echorouk: 48 hours before your club’s match against Bayern Munich for the German championship, you said you will merge with the team on Sunday (the interview on Saturday evening) before the changed data and your participation in the match. How did this happen?
Karim Metmour: This is true… I told you that I will join the training camp on Sunday, but my case has known quick change on Saturday when the coach Michael Frontzeck asked me to be part of the list to play the match against Bayern Munich. In the beginning I thought that the coach wants only to raise my morale and encouraged me through including my name among the list of 18 players, after a long absence from the stadiums. When he asked me to prepare myself I used to say to myself that he wanted me to get confident, but I was surprised when he asked me to take off my shirt and replace my teammate. At this moment I felt happy and I said it is strange.
Echorouk: What do you mean specifically?
Karim Matmour: Believe me; I cannot describe my feeling when I entered the green ground, because when you are absent for 60 days from stadiums then you find yourself facing a strong club like Bayern Munich at a time you were waiting for your return to the collective trainings, I was not expecting such decision, but the coach gave me the opportunity to get back to competition after a long absence.
Echorouk: You played Saturday match against Bayern then this means that your injury disappeared.
Karim Matmour: My injury disappeared since the medical staff gave me authorization to get back to trainings. I have been through a very difficult period because of injury, but I defeated it thanks to willpower and support of my family, friends and fans, especially as the managers, players and technical staff of my club supported me a lot during my absence from the stadiums. The match against Bayern was an opportunity to get back to competition. I entered in the 82nd minutes and played about 13 minutes counting overtime and this will motivate me to work more in order to restore my level and position in the team.
Echorouk: After 60 days of absences from stadiums. You know what is waiting for you to get back you level and return to interface.
KARIM Matmour: Already… I know what awaits me. To succeed in the German championship, you have to work hard and sacrifice a lot to reach the top. My experience in the German championship taught me that complacency and inaction has no place in my calculations, because work and only work is the way to succeed in a tough championship. Also there is an important point that I should not forget…
Echorouk: What is it?
Karim Matmour: Since my injury, supporters, and technical staff of Borussia Monchengladbach stood by me and I can’t forget or neglect it, because they raised my morale every day and always ask about me wherever I went I get support, especially because I was seriously injured and out for a long time, thing which really happened and contributed to my return in the match against Bayern Munich.
Echorouk: How it comes?
Karim Metmour: You must know that it is very difficult for any professional at the German championship to be out for two months because this is a long time due to serious injury. Such a situation is hard from a psychological point of view, and requires determination and mental strength to overcome it, especially as the return to competition is not easy. I am aware that getting back to the line-up and technical level needs a double effort and work.
Echorouk: Algerian coach Ben Shikha did not summon you to play Luxemburg match, why?
Karim Metmour: This was expected, because I was injured and out for a long period. However, he talked to me a lot since he was appointed at the coaching of Algeria’s team, especially after the match against central Africa. This is a great pleasure.
Echorouk: Qualification to Africa Cup 2012 has become more difficult after losing the match against Central Africa. What do you think?
Karim Metmour: Please, do not ask me about the defeat, we have to forget it and take a lesson. I only want to tell Algerians that they have to continue support to their team and I am sure the coach will chose the right players to qualify to the final play offs.
Echorouk: The task will not be easy before the Moroccan team on March 2011, isn’t it?
Karim Metmour: In fact, the match against Morocco will be decisive for us, because this team is our first opponent for the first qualification to CAN 2010, we must win because it is important for March game, as this would create new chances.
Echorouk: Finally, what can you say to Algerian fans?
Karim Metmour: Recently, I was away from the Algerian team, but I noticed that some supporters start losing confidence in their team, so I invite them to continue supporting the Desert Warriors until the last moment because they need a real and strong stand to get back to the playoffs. I am sure the Algerian team will show a good performance in the next matches.