“When I step onto the pitch, I tell myself I must do something for the team.” In Michalovce, Alioune Sylla scored his third goal of the season, and his tenth overall in 51 Niké Liga appearances. Ahead of Sunday’s clash with Žilina, we asked him about his goal, his role as a weapon off the bench, and the meeting of the first- and second-placed teams.
You scored your third goal of the season in Michalovce, and your milestone tenth in 51 league appearances. How did you experience the match, and what was going through your head when you saw the ball cross the line?
“I’m really happy to have helped my team with a goal. Every time I step onto the pitch, I try to help the team. I do everything so that my teammates, the coaching staff and the fans are happy with my introduction, so I really give everything. I’m glad I can help the team, and I will always be here for DAC.”
The goal came just three minutes after you came on. What was the coach’s intention when he sent you into the game?
“He told me we had to keep the result and, if there was a chance, score another goal. Every time he brings me on, he wants me to play with as much energy as possible. I’m ready to give everything and to score goals.”
This season you have been involved in four goals after coming off the bench (three goals, one assist). How do you prepare to be up to the pace of the match straight away after coming on?
“I watch the game from the bench and I’m ready. I keep telling myself that when I get on the pitch, I have to do something for the team. Scoring isn’t specifically my job, only helping the team. Sometimes that goal comes naturally, but I always want to make the difference.”
What is the hardest part of coming into a game that is already under way, and what works best for you?
“When I’m sitting on the bench, I read the game. We substitutes try to do everything we can to get into the same, right rhythm as the team. After that, everything comes by itself.”
How do you see your role as a weapon off the bench?
“The coach mostly uses me in the second half. I’m a footballer, and when I get the chance to play, I want to make the difference and contribute to a successful result. I want to continue this and maintain the same level of performance, so the coach can always count on me when he needs me. I’m here for the team.”
The whole attack is performing well. How do you see it, and what do you think is the reason overall?
“We work as one and everyone helps the others. Nobody plays for himself, only for the team. We work hard in training, and outside football we are also friends, which makes things easier for us. If someone sees a teammate closer to the goal, he passes the ball to him, because if someone scores, it’s a goal for all of us. We play as a team, we win as a team. You can also see it in our goal celebrations.”
In your last three league away games you have been involved in goals (two goals, one assist). Is there a recipe for your success at opponents’ grounds?
“There is no secret in it. My teammates help me and encourage me to perform well. We have quality players who can create chances, and we play as one.”
Could it also be that when you come on while we are leading, the home side play more openly and there is more space for you?
“Yes, that’s true. I watch the spaces and the game as a whole from the bench, so that after I come on I can find the best position to receive the ball. Sometimes it comes by itself, but mostly it’s work, and we will continue with that approach.”
On Sunday we face second-placed Žilina away, where we aim to defend our position as leaders and the only unbeaten team. What will be the key to a successful result?
“As the coach said, we are going game by game. The last one is in the past, and now we are focused on the next one, in Žilina. We will all give as much as we can and we are travelling there to win, to keep our first place in the table. But we will work the same way as we have until now.”
How do you remember your previous matches against Žilina, and what could work against them?
“I remember our meeting in spring 2025, when Damir Redzic was sent off but we still won 1–0 away. That was the last goal Yhoan Andzouana scored for DAC. Žilina are a quality side, but we are a good team too, and each of us fights for the other. We are travelling there the way the coach always says: with our own system and our own football.”
What would you say to the fans travelling to Žilina for the clash between the top two teams in the table? What kind of match can they expect?
“I’d say come in as great numbers as possible, and you will see a good match. When we feel the fans behind us, our motivation is even stronger, and they give us strength and determination. We would like to make them happy with good football and three points.”
