Žan Trontelj enjoyed a successful Saturday evening against Ružomberok. He sealed the 5-0 victory in the 70th minute, having earlier set up his fellow Slovenian Klemen Nemanić with a corner. After the match, he spoke about the team’s performance, his confidence in shooting from distance and the special feeling of scoring his first goal for DAC in front of his family.

Klemen Nemanić named you as his man of the match. Besides scoring and providing an assist, you also helped the team keep a clean sheet. How did you feel on the pitch?
“I’m happy with the result because the team’s performance is the most important thing. If I can add some good individual statistics to that, it’s always a nice feeling. In other matches, I’ve contributed to the team in different ways. However, I couldn’t have achieved this without my teammates. Sometimes one of us scores, sometimes someone else. I’m simply happy with the performance we put in as a team.”

The final score makes it look like a comfortable win, but how difficult was the match itself?
“We prepared thoroughly for the game and analysed the way our opponents play. From the very first minute, we did what we had planned. It was very important that we played with great intensity and aggression during the opening 10 to 15 minutes. That was exactly what we had focused on, and we executed our plan very well.”

You scored your first goal in a DAC shirt in the 70th minute, with a wonderful long-range shot from outside the penalty area. How did you see that situation?
“Let’s put it this way: I like shooting at goal. I think I have a good shot, and I like to use it. It feels great when the ball ends up in the net, so why not give it a try? When I saw Pali Šafranko making a run in behind, I knew he could cut the ball back to me. I looked for the space, and when I receive the ball about 20 metres from goal, I don’t think too much about it. I just shoot. I tried twice in the first half, but neither attempt went in. On my third attempt, the ball finally found the net, so I’m happy.”

You tried a similar shot early in the match against Žilina. It seems you’re not afraid to shoot from distance.
“Exactly. If you get an opportunity like that and trust your shot, you have to try it. Why not?”

Who would you like to dedicate your first goal in a DAC shirt to?
“I’m very happy about it. My whole family came to visit me this weekend, and they were at the match as well. That makes me even happier because they were able to experience this moment right there in the stadium.”

Against Ružomberok, we began a demanding run of three matches in nine days. What can this victory give the team ahead of the upcoming fixtures?
“We can approach the upcoming matches with confidence, just as we have throughout the league season. We need to keep doing what we’ve been doing and focus on each next challenge. Then we’ll see where that takes us and how far we can go. We’re taking it game by game.”