Beka is the king of tackles in the Super League

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Ratzfatz – sometimes life moves very fast. Ismajl Beka (23) knows that too. In just 365 days, the promotion league player at Rapperswil-Jona and a short stopover in Wil has grown into a committed central defender at FC Luzern. “It was a giant leap, and I really appreciate that,” he tells Blick.

Beka does not actually know how the transfer went exactly. «My advisor did everything for me and was in contact with my father. When everything was ready, they let me know that I could transfer to Lucerne.” It is currently the end of August and the season has already started.

Suddenly a fixed value since the second half of the season

Beka must therefore quickly gain a foothold. The first thing you notice is the difference in level. After four short missions, he disappears from the radar. At the beginning of the second half of the season, coach Mario Frick conjures him up again. “During the last training he told me that I would play against FCZ. My emotional world corresponded to a mixture of happiness and excitement,” the trained logistician recalls.

Beka has been a regular player ever since. With his 1.97 meter he always wins important header duels. He has also made himself known throughout the competition with his slide tackle. “These have always been my trademark.” The initial criticism that he was too slow and too impetuous in the duels has all but disappeared. “You get smarter from game to game. You learn from your teammates and adapt a bit,” he says nonchalantly.

Defense partner Simani as a good friend

The fact that Lucerne Beka never comes too close to criticism is due to the East Swiss with Kosovar roots, thanks to his defensive partner Denis Simani (31). “He told me not to go into it. I did this. I do my thing. Criticism is part of it.” A friendship developed between the two. “When I came here, it was Simani who helped me settle in the most.”

Wil trainer Brunello Iacopetta is someone who knows exactly what moves Beka. First with the juniors and later with Wil and Rapperswil, he trained the defender. The Italian-Swiss raves about Beka. “He’s an incredibly good person. He’s matured a lot over the years. I’m sure I’ve had two or three Ishmajls.” Did the coach think his protégé would make a breakthrough in the Super League? “His mentality always convinced me.”

Beka feels at home in Lucerne. He found an apartment within walking distance of the Allmend. That’s why he laughs and says that the Swissporarena is the most beautiful place in the city. Here he wants to be successful at FC Luzern. What comes next? “Everything step by step” – also regarding a possible squad of the Kosovo national team. After all, he knows exactly how fast things can go.

Source : Blick