PSV goalie Isaksson: The Ice Man

By: Jan | September 29th, 2008

He played for Juventus, won the Swedish title, playing in the French league, in the EPL and now he’s the goalie of the Dutch champs. On his European tour, Andreas Isaksson is honoring Eindhoven and PSV with his presence and tomorrow his job is to keep a clean sheet against Liverpool at Anfield.

Over the last weeks, the Swedish goalie is constantly compared to semi-legend Heurelmo Gomes who left for the Spurs. But in all reality, not a lot of people mention Gomes’ name, without Isaksson having had to do much about it. He played well, but not outstanding. Because he hasn’t been tested seriously.

Isaksson doesn’t care about the comparison. The aloof goalie was Petr Cech’s successor at Stade Rennes, he says with a smile, meaning he faced bigger challenges.

Isaksson acts like Mr Cool, the Ice Man. “Sweden is a very stable nation. We only have three cities, for the rest, we all live in peaceful townships. That maybe explains our nature.”

He is only 26 years old, but it seems he has a full football life behind him. As a teenager he signed for Juventus, at the time one Edwin van der Sar was their first goalie. He was the wrong man at the wrong time on the wrong spot.

“I was 17 when Juve called. I was much too young. I only played 12 games for Trelleborg. My mum didn’t want me to go, my dad said I should decide myself. It was one step too big. I never enjoyed the adventure. I felt lonely. Didn’t have any mates and no one at Juve cared. It was a good experience, though. I think it did make me stronger, but I just wasn’t ready and simply not good enough.”

He retured to Sweden, won the title and then went to play in France, Stade Rennes. He then made a move to Manchester City but injuries stopped his career there. When PSV called, his career picked up again.

“I was glad with PSV’s interest. The vibe in the dressing room is good and I even bought a bike, to explore Eindhoven.”

In terms of his prefession, there isn’t a lot of difference. “Ah well…being a goalie is being a goalie. In the EPL it’s more physical, refs allow more, I have more time here and the goalie is really a part of the team. I also learn more about positioning. That really helps. Where to you position yourself and all that. That makes me a better goalie and I think that’s why keepers are at their top around 30 years of age… because it’s the mental aspect and the smarts that make a good keeper a great keeper…”

Today, Isaksson returns to England. He doesn’t think it’s special though. “I never played on Anfield, so I don’t hold specific memories. I just approach this game as another CL game. In England, the pace is high but they don’t play better football per se. The passing and domination in Holland is much better and I think PSV can beat Liverpool. Why not? Liverpool may be the favorites, but that doesn’t mean a thing. It’s 90 minutes of football, mistakes, referee decisions, individual moments…and then we’ll see who wins.”

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