Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Udinese & Slovenia Star Defender Jaka Bijol: On Inter Milan & Premier Links, Who Wins Serie A & Champions League & Much More (Ep.481)
1k Plays1 day ago
The Italian Football Podcast is delighted to interview Udinese and Slovenia star defender Jaka Bijol.
From seasonal objectives at Udinese, thoughts in Inter Milan and Premier League links, to who he thinks will win the Serie A + Champions League, who he supported as a kid, as well as who the best defender and striker in Italy is and much more.
The interview is also available as video format on our YouTube Channel.
Every Monday episode of The Italian Football Podcast + all interview episodes are free for all.
To NEVER miss an episode of The Italian Football Podcast (as well as support the show), go to Patreon.com/TIFP or on Spotify to become a Patron for only $2.99 USD per month (excluding VAT).
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction to the Podcast
00:00:02
Speaker
Welcome to the Italian Football Podcast. Hello, everybody, and welcome to the Italian Football Podcast, the official podcast of football Italia.
Guest Introduction: Jaka Biol
00:00:11
Speaker
I'm Nima Tovale. And on today's show, we are delighted to be joined one of Serie A's top defenders, Urinese and Slovenia centre back, Jaka Biol. Jaka, thank you so much for joining us. And how are you doing today? Hello, for having me. I'm feeling good, feeling good just before before the training, preparing for training and like usual.
00:00:33
Speaker
Another day at the job, yeah? Another day at the job, exactly.
From Football Fun to Profession
00:00:37
Speaker
Speaking of becoming a footballer, did you always want to be a footballer when you were growing up? Yeah, I would say so. I was not thinking maybe of becoming a professional footballer, but I always liked to play football. I always enjoyed it.
00:00:56
Speaker
First it's always a game, then andp then it becomes more and more as the years go by, but at first it was just a game that I like to play, and then later, yeah now like we said, it's my job.
Career Evolution to Center-Back
00:01:10
Speaker
Were you always a centre-back growing up, or did you move into that position?
00:01:16
Speaker
No, I changed a lot. I changed a lot also. In the senior football, I changed a lot. and So and now I became center back at the the end. It is like it should be at the end and everything comes to its place at the end. So which position did you start playing at?
00:01:37
Speaker
of I think most of my career I played as a midfielder. I changed a lot of position in midfield, more attacking, at the end more defensive. and and yeah Like I said, at the end we came to centre back.
Admiration for Barcelona and Messi
00:01:49
Speaker
Who was your footballing idol growing up and did you have a favourite club? for i don't like i would say I like to watch the Barcelona, I would say. and Of course Messi was the best player there and I always enjoyed watching them. and It was like special football they played I think and it was always nice to watch them.
Goals and Game Focus
00:02:13
Speaker
So let's talk a little bit about Udinese. You're having a good season so far this season and you're not too far off for challenging for European spots. Is that something you guys have set as an objective to potentially qualify for European football next season? First we just watch our goals like internal goals that we have and what to do in each game. and and not not be preoccupied maybe with Europe and yeah we just have to make points every game that we can and play the best football as we can. So yeah, just just focused on us firstly and it's important to make the points that we need first of all and then then we can then we can look at the other goals, the bigger goals, but firstly it's important just to stay focused on each game and ah just to to continue to get in points and every point in Serie A is important and yeah.
Communication and Teamwork Values
00:03:15
Speaker
Well, Kostaroum Yayich is a new coach at Udini's Sรฉlesรญ, and he's impressed quite a bit since arriving. What do you think are his best qualities as a manager? okay I would just say like that he likes to listen to the to the players, what the the players have to say and to talk with them to to see what they're thinking and I would say this.
00:03:41
Speaker
Udinese have had some amazing talents in the last few years, who are now starring at really big clubs. Destiny Udoji, Lazar Samadzic, who we've interviewed both of them on the pod, for example. But other than yourself, which young Udinese player do you think can can make it to the top?
00:04:01
Speaker
oh ah it's hard to say like It's hard to say at the moment. We have some potential for sure, but they have to they have to continue on ah and working every day and continue to to go through the years. and I think it's never good to to to put pressure on them with the with words and to say ah this one and this one. and There are some for sure and they they just have to continue on working. and We will see that in the future then.
Consistency and Improvement as a Defender
00:04:32
Speaker
What do you think are your biggest strengths as a defender and what areas of your game do you think that maybe you need to work and improve on? I would say that I like to think that I can help a lot my teammates in a
00:04:49
Speaker
I like to help my teammates to be the best version of themselves and and like just to stay focused on the concentration in every game and to give it all every game. This is the thing that I strive strive on doing.
00:05:06
Speaker
to be as consistent as as possible through the years and I think that from the defender this is one of the most important things that you can you can be consistent and like really concentrated in for every game and to give it your best and for sure there are a lot of things that I can improve on as the the years go go by and with the coaches that that help you build on your game and to help you improve in a lot of little stuff that you you still can improve.
Notable Opponents and Aspirations
00:05:40
Speaker
well Who do you think is currently the best defender in Serie A? Currently. Currently the best defender in Serie A.
00:05:52
Speaker
I think that it was Bremer and then he got injured, and unfortunately, but I think that he's showing every year that he's one of the best defenders in Serie A, if not the best one. and Who do you think is the most difficult striker to play against in the Serie A?
00:06:11
Speaker
Oh, this year, this year, like, I would say, oh, Simon, but he went went away, ah like I said, a few times already. He's really one that doesn't let you breathe, but at this moment, for sure, like, and the from the best teams, the strikers from the best team that they are putting you under pressure, then it's harder to control, and like Lautaro, he just...
00:06:37
Speaker
just finds the spaces that and maybe you don't see him so much in the game, but he will always create something at the end. Well, let's speak a little bit about, you know, future ambitions. I mean, what are those ambitions? Would you like to play in the Champions League or the Premier League, for example? and For sure, I have ambitions to play Champions League, to play Premier League. I have an ambition to do that and hopefully I hope it comes well Speaking on that topic, recently Udineze director Gianluca Nani recently confirmed that Inter like you. um How do you feel when you hear that a club like Inter appreciates you and and monitors you? ah For sure, it's it's a nice thing to hear but and we know in football there are a lot of rumours going around all the time, so until there is something concrete there is and not much to talk about.
Influence of Handanovic
00:07:36
Speaker
A while back, we interviewed your Slovenia and Udinaลพa teammate Sandi Lovric, and he spoke of the importance that Samir Handanovic had for opening doors for Slovenians in Italy and Serie A generally, but also Inter in particular. What's your opinion on Samir Handanovic's legacy?
00:07:56
Speaker
For sure. He played so many years in Italy, also here in Udina. I think that everyone speaks so highly of him. and ah he he he He was really one great professional and he made a really good name for himself here and also here in Udina, also, of course, in and Milan. He's just one ah one big personality and one big ah one big player.
00:08:23
Speaker
who paved the way for us younger players that that came later. um Whenever we've interviewed any Udenese player, we always ask them who the strongest and hardest Udenese player is. And everyone always says that it's you. and So is this true? um in In a fight, are you the toughest one at Udenese?
00:08:51
Speaker
I would like to think so, but that's not strong guys as well. we had the we had one If if did you did an interview last year, i think that it was Isaac is successful. that he was He was a big guy as well, so I would say he's not here with us anymore. But but nowadays,
00:09:09
Speaker
Yeah, that for sure there are some big guys as well. He always has a physical team. Now we signed the one guy who is 2m6. I think he would have some arguments about who is the strongest. Well, um speaking of tall guys, um we had your teammate Maduka Okoyon earlier this season and he tipped Lorenzo Luca to start for Italy one day. um Do you agree with him? How good do you think Lorenzo is?
00:09:38
Speaker
Yeah, for sure Lotte has a good potential, great potential to be one of the best strikers in the league. He's also the character that can achieve that. He likes to work, he likes the the pressure that and that's like football world puts on a striker. that know You always have to strive for for the goals. in I think he can cope really well with
Preferences: Messi, Pasta, and More
00:10:05
Speaker
this stuff. and so yes um Just to finish off, we play this rapid-fire game where I give you two or three options and you pick one or the other and you can explain if you want why, but you you don't have to if you don't want to, okay? and Okay, good. I think I know the answer to this first one because you've already alluded to it, but... Leonardo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Yeah, Messi. Pasta or pizza? Pasta. Inter Napoli Atalanta Juve Mila. Who do you think will win the score?
00:10:41
Speaker
I think Inter is still the strongest team. They showed yesterday again against Lazio that they are ready when the big games come. um Who do you think will win the Champions League this season? I hope one Italian club as well. so so I have to say which one as well. Yeah, come on.
00:11:09
Speaker
then i Then I say Inter. Nice. um What's your favourite Netflix or TV show?
00:11:21
Speaker
Favourite Netflix show. I like it. It can be a TV show. it yeah Yeah, of course. It doesn't have to be Netflix. Any TV show. I like Game of Thrones a lot. and Okay. So you're having a dinner party. You can invite five guests dead or alive. Who do you invite? Anyone?
00:11:42
Speaker
ah
00:11:46
Speaker
like Let's stick to football. now If if we we are speaking about football, let's take to let's stick to football. And I would say I would like to do it ah with more Slovenian guys. so And they love I would say, I don't know,
00:12:03
Speaker
Zlatko Zaku which is an interesting character in Slalynia. Let's say Handanovic, why not? he's a ah We will learn a lot from him. Josip Illicic has put a lot of stuff here in Italy, so we we are having dinner a few times already we had, and he's an interesting guy to listen to, so I would say him. Let's Sandy with us. and One more, no? ah Yeah, yeah, if you want.
00:12:29
Speaker
a
00:12:32
Speaker
for nice
00:12:36
Speaker
okay Ilya Nesterowski was here with us a lot, so he's a nice guy to hang out with, so I would say. That's great, and I guess you'll be having Slovenian food then as well, because it's a Slovenian party. We are Italian, I think we all like Italian as well.
00:12:56
Speaker
would think Well, ah speaking of food, one last question. um Pineapple on pizza, food heaven or food hell?
00:13:07
Speaker
i never I never tasted it, honestly, so I would tell ah i would say hell, because it doesn't go together, I think, and and I never tasted it. though No, I don't like it either. I think they're they're nice separately, but not together.
00:13:24
Speaker
Thank you so much for coming on. yuc I really appreciate it. ah Good luck to you for the future and everyone else will be back on Thursday. Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other. Ciao. Ciao.