The Ex-National Team Star Shines in AIK: Jimmy Durmaz’s Best Game

The ex-national team star played his best game in AIK

Published 2023-08-06 21:11

CALM. AIK only got one point from Kalmar.

But Jimmy Durmaz probably played his best game in the AIK shirt.

– I have deserved to start a few more matches, he says to Sportbladet.

The AIK players were disappointed after, despite being down at half-time, they only drew 1-1 away to Kalmar.

After all, it was the black and yellow who pressed for 2-1 in the rain and lined up corners and goal chances.

– I think we totally dominated from the start. They got a lucky lead when we had our best period in the first half. Then we made it 1-1 but unfortunately we didn’t make it 2-1 on all our chances. That’s what I’m disappointed about: we need to convert our chances into goals in a better way. Then we would have won this match 3–1 or 4–1. But Kalmar away is one of the toughest matches in the Allsvenskan right now, says Jimmy Durmaz.

AIK has, under new coach Henning Berg, started the climb up from the bottom quagmire with only one loss in the last six and a total of eleven points in these matches.

Looking at what you have performed lately, AIK can’t go out, can they?

– Anything can happen in football. If we do what we do, like in the last few games, I don’t see us going out. But we can’t relax just because of that. We have to keep drumming up and put in the work we do in training and start winning more games than we are doing now.

full screen Jimmy Durmaz during the match with Kalmar FF. Photo: Patric Söderström /TT

“I will not live on a name”

The former national team star was one of the best players of the match after he really started to shine in midfield after 20-25 minutes.

Are we starting to see the real Jimmy Durmaz now in the AIK shirt now?

– Ha! Jimmy Durmaz has always been there. Now I got to play…again. I’m starting to get into it more and more. It’s been a choppy season for me where I’ve had to play and then not play and then play again. Then it takes a little time. I’m here for AIK and nothing else. I know what I can achieve once I get the confidence to do what I want to do. You could see a bit of that on the pitch today, says the 34-year-old.

Was this your best game in the AIK shirt?

– It may very well have been. I let everyone else judge my efforts. I myself know what I can do. I know I’m a good player if I get to play. Then everyone else can think what they want about me.

Has it felt unfair at any point during the season?

– Of course I’ve always wanted to start. I have deserved to start a few more games. But that’s how football works. I have never hung my head but have always shown that I still want to play. I’m not going to live on a name here but prove that I’m a good player.

Has it made a difference for you after the change of coach?

– I had a good time with “Brännan” at the end of his stay here. We got along very well, “Brännan” and I. Now I get to play a little more and then of course it will be a little better.

Has your role on the pitch changed in any way?

– No, it’s basically the same role. As soon as I’m out on the field, I play my game, says Durmaz.

2023-08-06 19:12:13
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