Mathijsen: “We want to do something important with Málaga”

Adaptation
Of course, I like the team.  The first match in our stadium, with our fans, was amazing.  I had played before in La Rosaleda against Peñarol, in the Costa del Sol Trophy, but the first official match is always important – and for a new player in the team as I was, it was…ufff! Outstanding!  I’ve haven’t been able to see much of the city, but now I have my family here I will take the time to visit Málaga.
 
Teammates
We’re nine new players and now the most important thing is to get to know each other so we can be the best team possible.  And, as in other teams, there are some teammates who are jokers, others who are more serious, but between us there’s a great mix of guys who want to play football every minute of every day and we want to do something important with Málaga, and that’s the best thing.
 
The differences between Dutch and Spanish football
There aren’t many differences between Spanish and Dutch football.  In fact, they’re very similar, we think the same when it comes to football.  But I played for five years in Germany, and that’s a totally different story. The league there is different.  German football is more physical, there are more races.  I like the way of play in Spain as it’s similar to that in Holland.  From the youth teams up, the kids learn how to play beautiful football.
 
The team’s objective is to reach the European competition next season. 
Seeing the team, seeing the training, there’s a really high level and I think we’ll be able to do it.  But we must demonstrate it in the stadiums, in the matches.  It’s complicated for me to comment as I don’t know the league or the other teams. But I do know the competition is very fierce and there are many new players.  Therefore I think that it’s important now that we understand each other as a group, that we know how to play with each other, and I’m sure that we will be able to battle to be in the top six on the table.
 
How do you feel about your position on the pitch?
Very good. It’s my natural position and I’ve played in it all of my life.  I’ve played in defence since I was 12 years old and now I get to play with players like Martín Demichelis and that makes me feel great.  I met Martín in the German league, when he was playing with Bayern Munich, and we played against each other many times.  Now we getting more attuned with every match we play, and we hope to become a formidable duo.
 
 
Even in terms of defence there are similarities between Spanish and Dutch football.  
In Holland you don’t only have to be a good defender, you also have to be able to manoeuvre the ball; but in Germany that doesn’t matter, if you score a goal you’ve played well and you’ve done a good job.  I’ve played football ‘Dutch-style’ since I was four years old, so that’s probably why I like it more.
 
Will you continue playing for Holland?
I hope so.  The Spanish league is a great competition, better than the German one, and I was already with Málaga CF when they called me up to play for Holland.  I don’t think it would have made a difference to be in Hamburg or Málaga.  I’ll carry on doing my thing with my teammates to allow us to be at the level we need to be amongst the six top teams in the league.
 
 
TEST
A MOVIE: Any about the mafia; The Godfather.
AN OBSESSION: I don’t have any.
A SONG: My favourites are Dutch ones.
A JOY: My family, I don’t have time for much else.
A CITY: I’ve lived in Amsterdam, Hamburg, and now in Málaga. I’d like to visit New York.
A BOOK: It’s a Dutch one about the kidnapping of a celebrity.
A COLOUR: There’s only one: Orange!
FOOD: Sushi, I love it at least once a week.
AN IDOL: Paolo Maldini, I followed him when I was you, but he’s not exactly an idol.
DRINK: Wine, when I eat out.
A CAR: I’m not that interested in cars, I have an estate car.
AN AFTERSHAVE: My wife buys them for me; again I don’t pay my attention to them.
SOCIAL NETWORK: I’m on Facebook but it’s more to see what my friends are writing.
ANOTHER SPORT: Tennis, padel and skiing
IF YOU WEREN’T A FOOTBALLER: I have no idea...