Róbert Boženík

Róbert Boženík (born 18 November 1999) is a Slovak professional footballer who plays as a forward for Eredivisie side Feyenoord.

Róbert Boženík
Boženík in 2018
Personal information
Date of birth (1999-11-18) 18 November 1999
Place of birth Terchová, Slovakia
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position(s) Forward
Club information
Current team
 Feyenoord
Number 19
Youth career
FK Terchová
2009–2016 Žilina
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2018 Žilina B 25 (8)
2018–2020 Žilina 48 (16)
2020– Feyenoord 9 (2)
National team‡
2017 Slovakia U18 1 (0)
2017–2018 Slovakia U19 5 (0)
2018–2019 Slovakia U21 3 (1)
2019– Slovakia 13 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11 October 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 October 2020

Club career

2018–19 season

Boženík made his professional Fortuna Liga debut for Žilina against Nitra on 28 July 2018. Žilina won the game 2–1 and although Boženík was replaced by Filip Balaj 73 minutes into the match, he scored the winning goal for the Šošoni in the 54th minute, after an assist by Jakub Holúbek.[2] Within a month of his debut, he also scored against AS Trenčín and iClinic Sereď. Before the winter break he had scored 10 goals, including one against later champions Slovan Bratislava in a 2–5 defeat and 2 further goals against Nitra, in a 2–0 victory. He was named Fortuna Liga's player of the month for October 2018.[3] He was also praised for his successful spell and was crowned one of the league's greatest talents after the autumn part of the 2018–19 season by experts in the media, as well as fans.[4] On 1 December 2018, MŠK had announced a contract extension until June 2022.[5]

In the spring part of the season, Boženík struggled to reclaim his form from the previous months. Still, in the final round of the main part of the Fortuna Liga season, in the match against ŽP Šport Podbrezová, Boženík had replaced Filip Balaj in the 76th minute and scoring the decisive goal, to seal the 2–1 win for Žilina, less than a minute later.[6] Since then, it took Boženík 9 league fixtures to score again. He did score two goals in Slovnaft Cup, one in second-leg semi-final match against Zemplín Michalovce and another one in the unsuccessful final match against FC Spartak Trnava (Boženík was also one of the players who missed a penalty in the shoot-out).[7] In the league, however, it took him two-and-a-half months to score again, scoring two against Ružomberok in final match of the season, in a 4–2 win.[8]

Overally, Boženík completed the season with 15 goals in 39 competitive games for Žilina.[1] With 13 goals in the Fortuna Liga, he was the second best scorer of the season, behind Andraž Šporar (29 goals).

After the season, in early June, as Boženík had been preparing for a double fixture against Jordan and Azerbaijan, it was reported that season's Belgian champions, K.R.C. Genk, have shown interest in both Boženík and his national team team-mate and Viktoria Plzeň midfielder, Patrik Hrošovský. Žilina had apparently requested a transfer fee of 4 million Eur. This would have made Boženík Žilina's third most expensive departure and 4th in the history of Fortuna liga, only behind Bénes, Hancko and Dubovský, but ahead of players like Nemanja Matić, Tomáš Hubočan or Slovakia's second most capped national team player Miroslav Karhan.[9]

2019–20 season

Based on past season's performances, Boženík was expected to rank among Fortuna Liga's leading top scorers in the new season as well.[10] Instead, Ján Bernát, a young, then 18 year old attacking midfielder, also playing for MŠK Žilina, co-headed the top scorer's table until Round 8, with 5 goals to his name. In the same time period, Boženík only scored two goals against Ružomberok and Senica. His goal against Senica, in a 5–0 win of 31 August 2019, had contributed MŠK's rise to the top of the Fortuna Liga table. Boženík also managed to score against competition's novice, FK Pohronie, on 21 September 2019, securing the 2–1 victory, along with Filip Kaša.[11] This turned out to be Boženík's last goal with the club, as he did not score in the leagues upcoming 7 fixtures.

During this half-season spent at pod Dubňom, he recorded 3 goals in 16 league fixtures. At the same point in the previous season, he recorded 10 goals.
He also made a single appearance in Slovnaft Cup, coming on as a tactical substitute to avoid an upset elimination, in a match against Odeva Lipany, playing in 3. Liga East. Žilina narrowly won 1–0, after a goal by Patrik Myslovič.[12] During a yellow-card suspension, Boženík was also featured in a single 2. liga fixture against Komárno (1–1), for MŠK reserve squad, on 27 October 2019. He secured the point for MŠK with a late equaliser.[13]

Feyenoord

On 27 January 2020, Boženík signed a 4½–year contract with Dutch club Feyenoord for a fee €4.6 million. Sporting Director Frank Arnesen described Boženík as "a young but big talent who will be given the time to grow and develop here".[14] As his preferred number 9 jersey was taken by Danish forward Nicolai Jørgensen, Boženík had opted for number 19.[15]

While he did not feature in the KNVB Cup fixture against Fortuna Sittard on the following day, Boženík marked his Eredivisie debut at De Kuip on 1 February 2020 against Emmen. Feyenoord won the game 3–0, after goals by Oğuzhan Özyakup, Nicolai Jørgensen and Luis Sinisterra. The last was replaced by Boženík in the 82nd minute, with the final score already set. Still, despite the short play-time, it was noted that Boženík managed to develop few chances to score.[16] He scored his first goal for the club on 16 February 2020, putting Feyenoord up 3–4 in the 88th minute in the away game against PEC Zwolle to secure the three points.[17]

International career

On 18 October 2018, during a press conference when former coach of the Slovak national team had explained his decision to resign, he referred to Boženík as ' Rohožník ' (a village in the Malacky District of western Slovakia). Kozák claimed, that despite his talent, Boženík was not yet ready for the national team, referring to apparent pressures from Žilina-aligned managers and interest groups.[18] Boženík repeatedly reacted very calmly to the incident, laughing it off as a mistake and declaring concentration on his play and performances. He even claimed, that at first he did not know that Kozák was referring to him.[19][20]

Boženík made his debut for Slovak national team on 7 June 2019 in a friendly against Jordan, as a half-time substitute for Pavol Šafranko.[21]

Boženík scored his first international goal against Hungary in a tense qualifying derby fixture on 9 September 2019. After a physical match, in which he suffered numerous tackles, Boženík was commended by media and fans for the winning goal and the gameplay.[22] On 13 October 2019, he was commended once again, after scoring the only goal of Slovakia in a friendly against Paraguay. The game was a farewell game for defenders Martin Škrtel, Tomáš Hubočan and forward Adam Nemec. Nemec starred in the starting XI but was replaced by Boženík after about half an hour. Slovakia's leading goal scorer of the previous years Nemec had said, that he sees great future and a possible replacement in Boženík, adding that the youngster will require numerous similar games to mature. To score the goal, Boženík utilised a pass from László Bénes, but Slovakia merely tied the game 1–1.[23][24]

International goals
Scores and results list Slovakia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Template goal.[1]
List of international goals scored by Róbert Boženík
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 9 September 2019Groupama Arena, Budapest, Hungary4 Hungary2–12–1UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
2 13 October 2019Tehelné pole, Bratislava, Slovakia6 Paraguay1–01–1Friendly
3 16 November 2019Stadion Rujevica, Rijeka, Croatia7 Croatia1–01–3UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
4 19 November 2019Štadión Antona Malatinského, Trnava, Slovakia8 Azerbaijan1–02–0UEFA Euro 2020 qualification

Honours

Individual

References
  1. Róbert Boženík at Soccerway
  2. MŠK Žilina – FC Nitra 2–1 28 July 2018, futbalnet.sk
  3. "Hráč mesiaca Boženík: Žijem si svoj sen". Fortuna liga. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  4. s, SPORT SK, s r o & Ringier Axel Springer Slovakia a. "V jedenástke talentov jesennej časti kraľuje MŠK Žilina". Šport.sk. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  5. "Útočný talent Róbert Boženík s novou zmluvou". www.mskzilina.sk. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  6. s, SPORT SK, s r o & Ringier Axel Springer Slovakia a. "VIDEO: Žilina zakončila základnú časť na druhom mieste". Šport.sk. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  7. "Spartak Trnava má v rukách trofej aj miestenku do Európy: Futbalovú drámu rozhodli až penalty". sport24.aktualne.atlas.sk. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  8. "MŠK Žilina – MFK Ružomberok 4–2 v 10. kole o titul". Hlavne.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  9. "Po Hrošovskom aj Boženík? Žilina žiada od Belgičanov poriadny balík peňazí | ProFutbal.sk". profutbal.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  10. "Karol Belaník: "V novej sezóne od mladých prirodzene väčšie očakávania."". MŠK Žilina (in Czech). Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  11. "Smoliar Boženík ostal pokojný, Klec napodobnil Mohu | ProFutbal.sk". profutbal.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  12. a.s, Petit Press. "Slovnaft Cup: Žilina v Lipanoch vyhrala len tesne". presov.korzar.sme.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  13. http://www.bart.sk, webdesign and software: bart sk s r o. "II. liga - Nedeľa priala Košičanom, Šamorínčanom a Skaličanom". futbalnet.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  14. "Róbert Bozeník tekent bij Feyenoord". Feyenoord.nl (in Dutch). 27 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  15. "OFICIÁLNE: Slovenský talent Róbert Boženík mieri do slávneho klubu!". Šport7.sk (in Slovak). 27 January 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  16. "Prišiel na ihrisko a hneď sa dostal do šancí. Boženík: Bolo to neuveriteľné". Pravda.sk (in Slovak). 2 February 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  17. "Veerkrachtig Feyenoord beslist spektakel in Zwolle in slotfase". Foxsports.nl (in Dutch). 16 February 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  18. s, SPORT SK, s r o & Ringier Axel Springer Slovakia a. "VIDEO: Kozák na poslednej tlačovke povedal úplne všetko a šokoval celé Slovensko". Šport.sk. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  19. s, SPORT SK, s r o & Ringier Axel Springer Slovakia a. "Kozák skomolil jeho meno, ťažkú hlavu si z toho nerobí. Boženík: Každý má právo na chybu". Šport.sk. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  20. "Šoltis mal šťastnú ruku, Boženík sa na Rohožníkovi pobavil | ProFutbal.sk". profutbal.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  21. "Slovakia v Jordan game report". ESPN. 7 June 2019.
  22. "VIDEO: Slovenská reprezentácia vyhrala v Maďarsku, hrdinom mladučký Boženík". tvnoviny.sk (in Slovak). 9 September 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  23. a.s, Petit Press. "Niektorí ho uznávali, pre iných bol arogantný. Škrtel mal zmiešané pocity". sport.sme.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  24. a.s, Petit Press. "Zo všetkých strán sa valilo, nech dajú šancu mladým. Bývalé opory sa rozlúčia". sport.sme.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  25. "Futbalista roka 2019: Výsledky sú známe! Kto je najlepší hráč či tréner? | spravy.sk". futbal.spravy.sk (in Slovak).
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