After a demanding schedule, Slovak national team goalkeeper Marek Rodák enjoyed a well-deserved July of rest in his hometown of Košice. However, time spent with family and friends was not only about relaxation; during this period, Marek also completed individual training sessions to ensure he was fully prepared for the new challenges ahead.

An Intense Start in Spain

The real whirlwind of duties began at the end of July, when Marek joined the team for a training camp in Spain. It was there that the intensive summer preparation under the guidance of the club’s coaching staff got underway. As part of the pre-season build-up, he featured in several friendly matches, where results were not the main priority—the key focus was on fine-tuning his form and building chemistry with the defensive line.

Winning Opener and a Clean Sheet Against the Stars

The new season officially kicked off for Marek on 28 August 2025. In the opening match, he helped his team secure a 2–1 victory over Al Kholood, earning a strong performance rating of 7.1.

An even tougher test followed after the international break. On 12 September 2025, Marek faced world-class attackers in a match against Al Ahli. In a valuable 0–0 draw, he quite literally “locked” his goal. With a series of crucial saves, he silenced stars such as Riyad Mahrez, Ivan Toney and Franck Kessié, keeping a highly important clean sheet.

According to Sofascore, Marek received the highest rating of all players in the match, scoring an impressive 7.9.

The League Campaign Continues

Although disappointment came in the domestic King’s Cup on 21 September, with an early elimination after a penalty shootout against Al Batin, Marek’s league form has continued to rise.

The end of September brought further important points. On 26 September 2025, Al Ettifaq claimed a 3–1 away victory over Damac. Marek once again played a key role, producing several crucial saves that kept the team in the game during critical moments.

Marek Rodák now enters the next phase of the season in excellent condition, with a clear goal of building on these strong performances in the matches to come.