Slovak national team player for Kosovo: They will be aggressive, they have a strong mentality
Express newspaper
23/02/2026 19:07
Slovakian Tomáš Suslov has returned to the field six months after a serious injury. He came on for Hellas Verona in the 82nd minute of Friday’s Serie A match against Sassuolo, making his first appearance of the current season.
In an interview with the official website of the Slovak Football Federation (SFZ), he expressed his desire to help the national team in the play-off matches for qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Suslov suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a training session in August last year.
After the operation, he faced weeks and months of recovery and rehabilitation. He returned to Hellas in the transfer against Sassuolo, at a time when his team was at a 0:3 disadvantage. “The feelings were a bit mixed, because the game was practically decided. However, I was very happy that after a long time I was back where I feel better,” the 23-year-old told “futbalsfz.sk”.
He has been closely following the performances of his teammates in the World Cup qualifiers.
“I’ve been supporting the boys a lot, I’ve been to every home game and I think they’ve done a great job. We achieved our goal and I strongly believe that in March we’ll play two big games and make Slovakia happy,” he continued.
Suslov himself is doing his best to be ready for the March “play-offs”.
“I’m doing everything I can to be ready and help the team. If everything goes according to plan, I believe I’ll contribute,” he said.
His last match with the Slovakia national team was on March 23, 2025 in the Nations League against Slovenia in Ljubljana.
After a year, he could return to the Slovakia national team, which will face the Kosovo national team in the semi-finals of the “play-off” on March 26.
“Kosovo will be very aggressive. Their players have a strong mentality and for them it is a unique opportunity to qualify for the World Cup. Therefore I expect a very strong and close match, where details will make the difference,” he said.
The Slovakia – Kosovo match will be played on March 26, and the winner will play in the play-off final.
There, either Kosovo or Slovakia will have to deal with Turkey or Romania./Express newspaper/