2025-02-16, 10:48 PM - Word count: 354
ATHENS (AP) -- Following an intense matchday in the Simulation Soccer League's Minor League, Austrian central defender for Athenai FC Valentin Morgenstern had some very strong words in his post-game interview following the team's loss to Seoul Mythic. When asked about the loss, he said "I've got a lot to say about it. First of all, losing to a VAR-awarded own goal? What a tragedy. VAR is a disgrace to this game and it should be eliminated, it brings all of the spirit out of the game. You're analyzing it down to the millimeter and frankly I just don't get it." After pausing for a second to collect himself, he added, "Overall, I don't think it's good for the game. You disrupt the flow and the excitement in the moment. That's all."
When asked about the experience of his first taste of Simulation Soccer League life, he seemed a little bit more positive: "It was a nice change of pace from Austrian football. Here, you have a variety of different tactics and coaching styles -- the stakes don't feel as high, to be honest with you. In Austria? You're competing every moment to make the team, you're playing your hardest from birth if you want to be a part of that."
In the post-game interview, known rival of Morgenstern (whose team had just won) Aart de Trella came up... and Morgenstern was less than happy. "Every time I come up here it's de Trella this, Aart that, do you reporters ever think about somebody that wasn't the first overall pick? There are other CDs from that draft, you know." He warned, "Don't come and talk to me if all you're going to talk about is that Dutchman."
Morgenstern's frustrations may be rightly held, but the hot streak certainly might put him on some managers' radars as a bit of a hot head. The right manager, though, would see that competitive streak and want to place him in the best position to use that frustration towards his game.
When asked about the experience of his first taste of Simulation Soccer League life, he seemed a little bit more positive: "It was a nice change of pace from Austrian football. Here, you have a variety of different tactics and coaching styles -- the stakes don't feel as high, to be honest with you. In Austria? You're competing every moment to make the team, you're playing your hardest from birth if you want to be a part of that."
In the post-game interview, known rival of Morgenstern (whose team had just won) Aart de Trella came up... and Morgenstern was less than happy. "Every time I come up here it's de Trella this, Aart that, do you reporters ever think about somebody that wasn't the first overall pick? There are other CDs from that draft, you know." He warned, "Don't come and talk to me if all you're going to talk about is that Dutchman."
Morgenstern's frustrations may be rightly held, but the hot streak certainly might put him on some managers' radars as a bit of a hot head. The right manager, though, would see that competitive streak and want to place him in the best position to use that frustration towards his game.
