Albert Gudmundsson (Reykiavik, 1997) was born with a ball under his arm. His father, his mother, his grandfather, his grandfather and his great -grandfather were international with Iceland. A legacy that wants to perpetuate eliminating Betis and winning the conference with Fiorentina.
Ask. How does it influence being born in such a soccer family?
Answer. He has had a lot of influence on my career and is the reason that has led me to be professional. It was my dream since childhood and, luckily, I got it. In my family I breathed football. I trained with my father, with my mother …
In my family I breathed football. My dream since childhood was to be a professional footballer and, luckily, I got it.
Q. His great -grandfather was the first professional Icelandic player, his grandfather is the historical 'pichichi' of the local league … Does the idea of being the best Icelandic of all time motivate him?
R. As a child I was my goal. We have had very good players, such as my grandfather or Gudjohnsen. I know it's not going to be easy, but I'm still working for it.
Q. Of all your relatives, who does it look more like?
R. I wouldn't know my great grandfather. I would say that I look more like my father. My grandfather was more corpulent, a classic striker.
Q. Who was your idol?
R. As a child he was very fan of Messi … and it still is.
Q. And how would it be defined?
R. I am a technical player who wants to be in contact with the ball as long as possible. I consider myself very creative and dangerous: Marco goals, I give assists … Besides, I am versatile: I can play '9', second striker, mediapunta, in band …
I am a technical player who wants to be in contact with the ball as long as possible: Marco goals, I give assists …
P. Gol has. He has marked 107 in 348 matches.
R. I am happy to mark more and more, but I think it is something that I will not really appreciate these numbers until I retire.
P. debuted with the KR with 15 years. How does an Icelandic end at Fiorentina?
R. As a child I tried several clubs in Europe that they loved me, but my father had a clear idea: I had to go to the Netherlands. There are very good academies that work hard. I was 8-9 years between Heerenveen, PSV and Az and, when I felt ready, I made the leap to a major league.
I spent 8-9 years forming in the Netherlands between Heererenveen, PSV and Az and, when I felt ready, I made the leap to a major league
Q. The 16 goals and 5 assists registered with Genoa last year 'catapult' to Fiorentina.
R. It came from a good year in series B and, although I don't think much about numbers, I felt it would be a great season.
P. in Florence adds eight goals and three assists. What balance does it do?
R. I came very motivated, but I was injured and now I feel that I am back and we have important matches ahead.
P. is transferred with purchase option. Would you like to continue in Fiorentina?
R. Yes, if not, I would not have come, but it is something that is not in my hands.
Q. Speaking of important matches. He has marked Milan, Juventus, Rome, Naples and Lazio.
R. I like great games. I do well. They give me energy.
I like great games. I do well
Q. Betis is one of the greats, right?
R. Of course. It is the most important game of the season and one of the biggest of my career. It will not be easy. We know how good they are. They have incredible players who did not work so well in other teams, but that they are doing very well, especially with the ball.
Q. What surprised you most about the first leg?
R. The atmosphere. I did not expect it and it was incredible. And see Isco: how it moves, how it plays first … is amazing. We must monitor him because he had too many spaces.
Betis's is the most important game of the season and one of my career
Q. In Italy, precisely, they compare him with Isco.
R. I like it, it is a good comparison, but I think it is not entirely fair: he played many years in Real Madrid.
Q. What else should Fiorentina do, in addition to closely monitoring Isco?
R. Be compact in defense and creative and accurate in attack. If we succeed, we will go to the final.
Gudmundsson protects the ball against Isco and Aitor Ruibal.
Q. Has the Gea level surprised?
A. What surprised me the most is his level after a year without playing. It is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He has saved us many points this season. Continues to be at a higher level.
I was surprised by Gea's level after a year without playing, he is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world
Q. Form with Kean the third most scorer in the series A. How are they complemented?
R. He came from a difficult season wanting to claim and has succeeded. He is young and has experience: he has played in the Premier, in Ligue 1 and in series A. He is making many goals and I think he has a brilliant future ahead.
Kean came from a difficult season wanting to claim and has achieved it
Q. Speaking in the long term, would you like to play in LaLiga?
R. Now I am very well in Fiorentina, although, in general, I have always liked Spanish football for how they take care of the ball.
