A few meters away, in a space separated by a large curtain, the Wouter Vrancken players eat after morning training. Screams, laughter, music, jokes: the good humor, drawn from an unexpected and invigorating seven out of nine in the Champions playoffs, can be heard from afar.
The tone is set for a half-hour relaxed interview with the metronome of Racing Genk, the Slovakian Patrik Hrosovsky (32 years old next week).
Is the atmosphere still so festive during your midday meals?
”Bilal (El Khannous) kept his bet – if we beat the Union – and cooked us a Moroccan meal. Delicious. We all ate together, which is not always the case. Sometimes some stay in care longer and arrive when others have already finished.”
So it’s not due to your 7 out of 9 which revives the team dynamic?
”Perhaps also, even if the last result against Cercle (1-1) disappointed us.”
Our season will only be successful if we win a European ticket.
Is your season already successful with this participation in the Champions playoffs?
”No, we cannot be satisfied with that. In my opinion, it will be if we get a European ticket.”
You have less pressure than Union or Anderlecht…
“Certainly. Especially the Union which led the classic phase practically from start to finish, with an impressive series of invincibility. Everyone already saw them as champions. But with this division of points by two – a principle that I find unfair even if I am a supporter of the playoff system – and the direct confrontations, everything can change very quickly. Some say that Anderlecht are now favorites, others predict that Bruges will come back strong…”
It is precisely this unpredictability that makes football so beautiful, so exciting.
And Genk?
(He thinks). “It will be very difficult to be champion but seven games is huge. It goes in all directions, the matches are intense in full stadiums… So, why not us? We saw last season that anything could happen until the last second… (grimace)”.
Unlike Anderlecht and Genk, Union and Bruges experienced a long European campaign. Could this influence the final sprint?
“It depends. If the team that goes far in the European Cup suffers injuries or an overload, that can play a role, yes. On the other hand, a good European campaign can improve a team and give very useful confidence in the fight for the title.”
Many observers believe that Genk offers better football than Anderlecht, although they are leaders. Isn't it frustrating that the beautiful game doesn't always pay off?
”It is precisely this unpredictability that makes football so beautiful, so exciting. Well, there is Manchester City which combines the two, the result and the manner but it is an exception. No matter how you win, the confidence born from victory increases your belief and effort for the next match. But I'm not sure it will be effective in the long term. In any case, I hope we can show on Saturday that we can be better than Anderlecht (smile).”
You rarely get bored watching Genk play. Do you feel this DNA of positive football on a daily basis?
“Of course. I find that it has become even more entrenched in the last two years. The playing philosophy and the type of players recruited are quite marked. It's pleasant to participate in that, in the development of a method, of players… We come back to what we said: we are not always rewarded in the results but, in the long term, I think that it This is the right method.”
Are you surprised to still be here after five years?
”In 2019, I signed for 4 years + 1 (Editor's note: in 2023, his contract was extended until 2025) but I didn't plan to stay one, two or five years. The family aspect matters a lot. I feel really good at the club, my wife and my son are happy in Hasselt (Editor's note: where the Hrosovsky family lives). There will be four of us next summer. (wink).”
We know you are discreet, reserved, well educated… Is it difficult to remain yourself in the world of football?
“No, I do not think so. A man's personality does not prevent him from becoming a professional gamer. In my case, I don't show my emotions much and I'm not the type to jump around in the locker room, but I know how to impose myself while remaining myself.”
I like to control the game, find passing angles or cut off the opponent's passes.
Do you share the idea that your personality is reflected in your playing? Discreet but precious, who makes others shine…
”Yes, it’s a bit of the story of my career but it doesn’t bother me. This was already the case at Viktoria Plzen (2014-2019). But the important thing remains collective success. I start from the principle that I am one element among others, within a team. Probably the one that will make the others shine but it is necessary. Fans always prefer to adulate those who score, assist or dribble past three opponents but, in my opinion, there are players who are brilliant in other ways.”
Glowing in the shadows, somehow?
“Yes that's it. I like to control the game, find passing angles or cut off those of the opponent, be well placed to intercept…”
As a kid, I was fascinated by all the magnificent things Zidane could do.
Who is your idol, your reference, in the midfield?
”Zidane. Probably because my parents gave me his jersey when I was a kid. I was fascinated by all the magnificent things he could do. Later, I was more inspired by Modric and Kroos.”
At Genk, you knew quite a few good midfielders. Sander Berge, Kristian Thorstvedt, Bryan Heynen… Who would you choose to form an ideal middle triangle at your side?
”I've played the most matches with Bryan, so our connection is really good and effective. Afterwards… pff, it’s difficult. I would say El Khannouss. An incredible talent. I think he will have a very good career. But perhaps I was influenced by his Moroccan meal this afternoon (laugh).”
