--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Defensive midfielder is my position and I…" description: "\"Defensive midfielder is my position and I have to be focused on that role.\" — Nemanja Matic" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/479/nemanja-matic-16660_defensive_defensive-midfielder-is-my-position-and_1006201.jpg" --- # Defensive midfielder is my position and I have to be… ![“Defensive midfielder is my position and I have to be focused on that role.” quote by Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/479/nemanja-matic-16660_defensive_defensive-midfielder-is-my-position-and_1006201.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/479/nemanja-matic-16660_defensive_defensive-midfielder-is-my-position-and_1006201.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/479/nemanja-matic-16660_defensive_defensive-midfielder-is-my-position-and_1006201.jpg) > “Defensive midfielder is my position and I have to be focused on that role.” [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. His role as a defensive midfielder requires constant focus and dedication to that specific position. **In simple terms:** Defensive midfield demands focused dedication. Key Takeaway Commit fully to your role. Themes sports focus teamwork Mood motivational strategic Type sports team When to use this quote - football matches - training sessions - team strategy Key Concepts role specialization mental discipline Questions to Reflect On - How does focus improve performance? - When should you adapt beyond your role? A Different Perspective Over‑specialization may limit flexibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Focused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focused/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ## Related quotes > [When I arrived at Benfica I'd been playing like a No. 10 in the team, but the first thing the coach did was tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/when-i-arrived-at-benfica-i-d-been-playing-like-a-no-10-in-the-team/) [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) > [And whatever job I am doing at the time, I try to remain focused on that role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anya-chalotra/and-whatever-job-i-am-doing-at-the-time-i-try-to-remain-focused-on/) [Anya Chalotra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anya-chalotra/) > [I can be the only defensive midfielder and try and break up play. Or I can play a little more forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-busquets/i-can-be-the-only-defensive-midfielder-and-try-and-break-up-play-or-i/) [Sergio Busquets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-busquets/) > [I'm not really a defensive midfielder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-wilshere/i-m-not-really-a-defensive-midfielder/) [Jack Wilshere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-wilshere/) > [I prefer defensive midfielder because I know my job when I play there. More things are in front of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/i-prefer-defensive-midfielder-because-i-know-my-job-when-i-play-there/) [Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/) > [When I first got to Lyon, my coach at the time, Nicolas Quinault, was very keen for me to play as a defensive midfielder,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendie-renard/when-i-first-got-to-lyon-my-coach-at-the-time-nicolas-quinault-was/) [Wendie Renard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendie-renard/) > [In my country, they used to call players who play in my position a defensive midfielder, but it is not defensive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernandinho/in-my-country-they-used-to-call-players-who-play-in-my-position-a/) [Fernandinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernandinho/) > [I have already worked Dunga. He helped me at Internacional, making me a more defensive midfielder. But I can play as a first or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred/i-have-already-worked-dunga-he-helped-me-at-internacional-making-me-a/) [Fred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred/) > [On a tactical level the defensive midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation is just about the most demanding position there is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-busquets/on-a-tactical-level-the-defensive-midfielder-in-a-4-3-3-formation-is/) [Sergio Busquets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-busquets/) > [Everyone knows where I play, as a defensive midfielder, more or less the same, so in the last six or seven years I play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/everyone-knows-where-i-play-as-a-defensive-midfielder-more-or-less/) [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) > [Sometimes I look at myself and ask, 'What is my best position?' But I think it's a defensive midfielder; that's the best one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/sometimes-i-look-at-myself-and-ask-what-is-my-best-position-but-i/) [Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/) > [Most people see me as a defensive midfielder but with my intelligence and how I read the game, if we're near the end of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-partey/most-people-see-me-as-a-defensive-midfielder-but-with-my-intelligence/) [Thomas Partey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-partey/) > [I don't think Sergio Busquets is the best defensive midfielder in the world but for Barcelona he is the perfect player because of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eidur-gudjohnsen/i-don-t-think-sergio-busquets-is-the-best-defensive-midfielder-in-the/) [Eidur Gudjohnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eidur-gudjohnsen/) > [All players rolled into one: from defensive midfielder to attacking midfielder to attacker. I want to take the qualities from everyone. I'd like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pogba/all-players-rolled-into-one-from-defensive-midfielder-to-attacking/) [Paul Pogba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pogba/) > [In the defensive midfield position, the player needs to give balance to the team and try to control the game. That's exactly what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/in-the-defensive-midfield-position-the-player-needs-to-give-balance/) [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) ## More by Nemanja Matic > [I've played regularly in a big club at Benfica, where it is not easy and there is a lot of pressure. In those years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/i-ve-played-regularly-in-a-big-club-at-benfica-where-it-is-not-easy/) [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) > [I have enjoyed my time at Chelsea and would like to thank the club and the fans for their support.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/i-have-enjoyed-my-time-at-chelsea-and-would-like-to-thank-the-club/) [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) > [When you don't have results it is very difficult for players to have that high confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/when-you-don-t-have-results-it-is-very-difficult-for-players-to-have/) [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) > [Vidic was a great player and one of the players where I look to be similar because he had a great career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/vidic-was-a-great-player-and-one-of-the-players-where-i-look-to-be/) [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) > [The Premier League is not easy for young players because it is very hard, very tough. Most of the players are very tall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/the-premier-league-is-not-easy-for-young-players-because-it-is-very/) [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) > [The Manchester derby, for our supporters, is the most important game in the season. Always, a few days before the game, the people create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/the-manchester-derby-for-our-supporters-is-the-most-important-game-in/) [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) > [For me, I want to improve, to play good football in a good league; the money is not the most important thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/for-me-i-want-to-improve-to-play-good-football-in-a-good-league-the/) [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) > [I am delighted to have joined Manchester United. To work with Jose Mourinho once again was an opportunity I couldn't turn down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/i-am-delighted-to-have-joined-manchester-united-to-work-with-jose/) [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) > [To play at Old Trafford in a Manchester shirt I think is something special.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/to-play-at-old-trafford-in-a-manchester-shirt-i-think-is-something/) [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) > [I'm happy to be working with Mourinho.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/i-m-happy-to-be-working-with-mourinho/) [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) > [I think derbies are really special because it's two local teams playing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/i-think-derbies-are-really-special-because-it-s-two-local-teams/) [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) > [I played for Chelsea for three-and-a-half years and I gave them my best to win against them and show my quality again. I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/i-played-for-chelsea-for-three-and-a-half-years-and-i-gave-them-my/) [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) > [When you leave a big club and go on loan to a small club in Holland it is not easy. But I am a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/when-you-leave-a-big-club-and-go-on-loan-to-a-small-club-in-holland/) [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) > [When I come home, I always look in the mirror and I want to see where I could do better, where I can improve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/when-i-come-home-i-always-look-in-the-mirror-and-i-want-to-see-where/) [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) > [I'm happy in Manchester and that's it. Moving to United was good for me. I play for a big club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/i-m-happy-in-manchester-and-that-s-it-moving-to-united-was-good-for/) [Nemanja Matic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) [Explore all 39 Nemanja Matic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/) ## More Defensive quotes > [Most people do surprisingly poorly when dealing with a relative who is hurting, depressed, or anxious - we get defensive and try to solve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/most-people-do-surprisingly-poorly-when-dealing-with-a-relative-who/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [I have my meals delivered... you know what I like? Chicken and rice... But the problem with being a defensive lineman is, if we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-douglas/i-have-my-meals-delivered-you-know-what-i-like-chicken-and-rice-but/) [Hugh Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-douglas/) > [Before I signed for Liverpool, I was playing for Newcastle as a No. 10 - basically, I was always attacking. I didn't have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georginio-wijnaldum/before-i-signed-for-liverpool-i-was-playing-for-newcastle-as-a-no-10/) [Georginio Wijnaldum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georginio-wijnaldum/) > [Any time I'm healthy I feel like I'm the best defensive player in the NFL.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyrann-mathieu/any-time-i-m-healthy-i-feel-like-i-m-the-best-defensive-player-in-the/) [Tyrann Mathieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyrann-mathieu/) > [“I need to ask, are you afraid of spiders?" Nicholas blinked, suddenly caught off guard, "Yes, I'm afraid of spiders." "Were you always?" "What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-m-irwin/i-need-to-ask-are-you-afraid-of-spiders-nicholas-blinked-suddenly/) [Stephen M. Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-m-irwin/) > [You have to feel confident. If you don't, then you're going to be hesitant and defensive, and there'll be a lot of things working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-eastwood/you-have-to-feel-confident-if-you-don-t-then-you-re-going-to-be/) [Clint Eastwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-eastwood/) > [I'm a coach who likes to have the ball, but what I really think is, 'How can you be in charge of the game?'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nuno-espirito-santo/i-m-a-coach-who-likes-to-have-the-ball-but-what-i-really-think-is-how/) [Nuno Espirito Santo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nuno-espirito-santo/) > [Iran has little capacity to deploy force. Its strategic doctrines are defensive, designed to deter invasion long enough for diplomacy to set it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/iran-has-little-capacity-to-deploy-force-its-strategic-doctrines-are/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“To switch effectively from defense to social engagement strategies, the nervous system must do two things: (1) assess risk, and (2) if the environment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-w-porges/to-switch-effectively-from-defense-to-social-engagement-strategies/) [Stephen W. Porges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-w-porges/) > [I've never just thought of myself as a defensive-only player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/o-g-anunoby/i-ve-never-just-thought-of-myself-as-a-defensive-only-player/) [O. G. Anunoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/o-g-anunoby/) > [The top coaches want wide strikers who cut inside. They want playmaking midfielders who can play between the lines as well as perform their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/the-top-coaches-want-wide-strikers-who-cut-inside-they-want/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [“Defense mechanisms protect us. Fortresses isolate us. And far too often we begin with the former and end up constructing the latter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/defense-mechanisms-protect-us-fortresses-isolate-us-and-far-too-often/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [One of the turning points in the look of the Guardian is when we decided Logan Thackeray would be a Guardian as opposed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-grubb/one-of-the-turning-points-in-the-look-of-the-guardian-is-when-we/) [Jeff Grubb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-grubb/) > [I'm a storyteller... I haves a God-given gift that I can share with you and perhaps entertain you and bring you along for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-sutter/i-m-a-storyteller-i-haves-a-god-given-gift-that-i-can-share-with-you/) [Kurt Sutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-sutter/) > [The beginning of everything is our defensive organisation. The clean sheet is always the first objective that we have in the game. Always.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nuno-espirito-santo/the-beginning-of-everything-is-our-defensive-organisation-the-clean/) [Nuno Espirito Santo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nuno-espirito-santo/) Browse all 394 Defensive quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Defensive midfielder is my position and I have to be focused on that role.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Nemanja Matic" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/defensive-midfielder-is-my-position-and-i-have-to-be-focused-on-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Defensive" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/defensive-midfielder-is-my-position-and-i-have-to-be-focused-on-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/479/nemanja-matic-16660_defensive_defensive-midfielder-is-my-position-and_1006201.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/479/nemanja-matic-16660_defensive_defensive-midfielder-is-my-position-and_1006201.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/479/nemanja-matic-16660_defensive_defensive-midfielder-is-my-position-and_1006201.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Defensive midfielder is my position and I have to be focused on that role.” — Nemanja Matic", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Nemanja Matic", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nemanja-matic/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Defensive midfielder is my position and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/defensive-midfielder-is-my-position-and-i-have-to-be-focused-on-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nemanja-matic/defensive-midfielder-is-my-position-and-i-have-to-be-focused-on-that/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```