Patrik Berger

Patrik Berger
Personal information
Full name Patrik Berger
Date of birth 10 November 1973 (1973-11-10) (age 38)
Place of birth Prague, Czechoslovakia
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Playing position Left winger, inside forward
Youth career
1989–1991 Sparta Prague
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1991–1995 Slavia Prague 90 (24)
1995–1996 Borussia Dortmund 25 (4)
1996–2003 Liverpool 149 (28)
2003–2005 Portsmouth 52 (7)
2005–2008 Aston Villa 29 (2)
2006–2007 → Stoke City (loan) 7 (0)
2008–2010 Sparta Prague 23 (6)
Total 375 (71)
National team
1993 Czechoslovakia 2 (0)
1994–2001 Czech Republic 42 (17)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Patrik Berger (Czech pronunciation: [ˈpatrɪk ˈbɛrɡr̩]; born 10 November 1973 in Prague) is a retired Czech footballer. He has played in Czech Republic, Germany, and England. He is best remembered for his time at Liverpool.

The success of the Czech Republic's national team in the Euro 1996 raised the profile of many players — including that of Berger, Pavel Nedvěd, and Karel Poborský — and convinced some of Europe's most prestigious clubs to purchase them.[1] Capable of occupying midfield and forward positions, Berger became noted for his powerful strikes, surging runs, and strong left foot.[2][3] Berger was beset with injuries throughout his career and received specialist treatment in the United States.[4] He retired on 6 January 2010 due to knee injuries.

Contents

Club career

Prague and Dortmund

Berger was born in Prague, Czech Republic. His uncle is the Czech footballer Jan Berger — He began his career as a youth player at Sparta Prague in 1989, securing a professional contract two-years later with rivals Slavia Prague.[5] Establishing himself as a senior regular, Berger competed in Europe and earned selection for Czechoslovakia and, following its establishment, the Czech Republic.[3][5][6]

After 89 league games and 24 goals, Berger was purchased by Ottmar Hitzfeld's Borussia Dortmund in 1995 for a reported £500,000.[3] His only season as a Dortmund player was frustrating and successful. While Dortmund gained the Bundesliga title and Super Cup, Berger was predominantly used as a substitute, scoring four goals in 25 league appearances. Hitzfeld preferred to employ Berger as a defensive midfielder as he considered him to be most suited to the role.[2]

Liverpool's interest in Berger was stimulated by the performances of the Czech Republic during Euro 1996, organised in England, in the final of which he scored a penalty.[3] The club approached both Berger and Karel Poborský, who elected to transfer to Manchester United after the competition's conclusion.[7] Berger did accept Liverpool's contract offer and completed his transfer in August 1996 for £3.25 million.

Liverpool

With wife Jaroslava and their two children, Berger settled in Southport, Merseyside, where he resided near retired players Kenny Dalglish and Alan Hansen.[8] Debuting as a substitute in a 2–1 home win against Southampton on 7 September 1996, Berger performed well in his first month with the club, endearing him to supporters and earning praise from colleagues.[5][9] Used again as a substitute in his second match, Berger scored a brace of goals in a 3–0 win against Leicester City. A second double was registered against Chelsea in the latter's 5–1 defeat at Anfield, which he followed with a fifth goal in four games in a Cup Winners' Cup match against MYPA.[10] The series of displays were recognised in October with the FA's Player of the Month award for September.[11]

First-team opportunities became limited in Berger's second season. Unable to reproduce earlier performances, Berger was often confined to the bench in a season punctuated by a hat-trick against Chelsea.[12][13] Berger's dissatisfaction and discord between the midfielder and manager Roy Evans placed his Liverpool career in jeopardy.[14] Evans criticised Berger's perceived indifference to teamwork and publicly expressed a willingness to sell after he refused to be used as a substitute against Bolton Wanderers in March 1998.[12][15] His agent reported to the media that Benfica, Roma and unidentified Spanish clubs were interested in arranging a transfer from Liverpool. The appointment of Gérard Houllier as co-manager before the 1998–99 season and subsequent departure of Roy Evans proved to be pivotal in Berger's decision to remain with the club.[14]

You know, the greatest day in my football life was the day I signed for Liverpool. I couldn’t believe it. When I was young in Czechoslovakia, we didn’t see much European football, but my father’s friend went to England and he watched Liverpool. When he came back, he gave me the programme, the ticket and a scarf. I still have them all.

When I moved to Southport to live, my neighbour was Kenny Dalglish. Alan Hansen lived around the corner. I met them, they were normal guys, but they were my heroes. To me, it’s the best club in the world and when I am finished playing and I’m telling my children about it I will be proud to say that for seven years I was a Liverpool player.
The Sunday Times, 8 February 2004.[8]

Playing regularly in his first season under Houllier's reign, Berger scored nine goals and improved as a player.[2] An injury sustained in a 4–3 defeat to Leeds United in November 2000 rendered Berger unavailable for much of the 2000–01 season and required specialist treatment in the United States from Richard Steadman.[5][16] Berger recovered by March and featured in the finals of the UEFA Cup and FA Cup, in which he assisted Michael Owen to score the deciding goal against Arsenal.[5]

Recurring injuries between 2001 and 2003 further disrupted Berger's career and deprived him of a presence in the first team, resulting in his decision to leave Liverpool after the expiration of his contract on the conclusion of the 2002–03 season.[2][17] Berger had been confined to the bench for the duration of his final season when selected, limiting him to four appearances.[17] He moved on a free transfer to Portsmouth,[18] having played 196 games for Liverpool, scoring 35 goals in the process.

Portsmouth

Newly promoted to the Premier League, Berger was signed on a free-transfer by Harry Redknapp as the south coast side prepared for the campaign by seeking experienced players. Berger made his first appearance for Portsmouth on the opening day of the club's debut Premiership season in a 2–1 home win over Aston Villa, scoring the second goal. On October 18, 2003, Berger scored the winning goal in Portsmouth's 1–0 victory over his former club Liverpool.[19] However, in February 2004, he was forced to undergo an operation upon his knee forcing him to miss the rest of the season. His performances at the start of the 2004–05 season indicated that a return to his best form might be on the cards, with Berger scoring a contender for goal of the season against Charlton Athletic in Portsmouth's first away match.[20]

After the club successfully battled against relegation, then-manager Alain Perrin and the club chose not to renew his contract in June 2005. Berger then joined Aston Villa on a two year-deal.[21]

Aston Villa

Berger was hampered by injury during his early Villa career, making few league appearances. In November 2006 he was loaned to Stoke City in order to gain fitness,[22] with some reports suggesting that the player had fallen out with manager Martin O'Neill over playing in the reserve side. After his loan spell, Berger had a good spell of fitness and began to show flashes of what he was capable of, regularly showing his influence on the pitch. On 7 Apri, Berger scored his first goal in two years against Blackburn Rovers in a 2–1 victory, where his performance was praised.[23] Berger scored again on May 5 in the penultimate game of the season against Sheffield United.[24]

On 28 May 2007, Berger agreed to sign a one-year contract extension with Aston Villa.[25]

On 6 May 2008, he was told he had played his last game for Aston Villa after urging Villa captain Gareth Barry to move to Liverpool.[26] At the end of his contract he was released by the club having appeared in just 29 matches in three seasons.[27]

Return to Prague

On 29 May 2008, Berger returned to Prague as a free agent, signing a two-year contract with Sparta Prague.[28] On 6 January 2010, he retired because of a ligament injury that he failed to recover from.[29][30]

International career

Berger was capped 44 times, scoring 18 goals. He made his debut on 23 March 1993 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Cyprus, which ended 1–1. He famously scored in the final of Euro 1996 from the penalty spot to give Czech Republic a 1–0 lead. However, they lost on the Golden Goal rule in extra time to Germany. He also appeared once in the Euro 2000, having been suspended after being sent off in a qualifier against the Faroe Islands.

Career statistics

[31]

Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Czechoslovakia League Cup League Cup Continental Total
1991–92 Slavia Prague First League 20 3 — — — 20 3
1992–93 29 10 — — 2 0 31 10
Czech Republic League Czech Republic Cup League Cup Europe Total
1993–94 Slavia Prague Gambrinus liga 12 4 — — 2 1 14 5
1994–95 29 7 — — 4 1 33 8
Germany League DFB-Pokal Premiere Ligapokal Europe Total
1995–96 Borussia Dortmund Bundesliga 25 4 — — 2 0 27 4
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
1996–97 Liverpool Premier League 23 6 2 0 3 1 6 2 34 9
1997–98 22 3 1 0 2 1 2 0 27 4
1998–99 32 7 2 0 1 0 6 2 41 9
1999–2000 34 9 1 0 2 0 — 37 9
2000–01 14 2 1 0 1 0 5 0 21 2
2001–02 21 1 1 0 — 8 0 30 1
2002–03 2 0 — 1 1 1 0 4 1
2003–04 Portsmouth Premier League 20 5 1 0 2 0 — 23 5
2004–05 32 3 2 0 3 0 — 37 3
2005–06 Aston Villa Premier League 8 0 — 1 0 — 9 0
2006–07 13 2 — 1 0 — 14 2
2006–07 Stoke City Championship 7 0 — — — 7 0
2007–08 Aston Villa Premier League 8 0 — 1 0 — 9 0
Czech Republic League Czech Republic Cup League Cup Europe Total
2008–09 Sparta Prague Gambrinus liga 21 6 4 2 — 4 0 29 8
2009–10 2 0 — — — 2 0
Total Czechoslovakia 49 13 — — 2 0 51 13
Czech Republic 64 17 4 2 — 10 2 78 21
Germany 25 4 — — 2 0 27 4
England 236 38 11 0 18 3 28 4 293 45
Career total 374 72 15 2 18 3 42 6 449 83
Czech Republic national team
Year Apps Goals
1993 2 0
1994 3 1
1995 7 7
1996 12 3
1997 2 1
1998 4 2
1999 7 3
2000 3 1
2001 4 0
Total 44 18

International goals

Scores and results list Czech Republic's goal tally first.[32]
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 6 September 1994 Bazaly, Ostrava  Malta 6–1 6–1 Euro 1996 qualifying
2. 8 March 1995 Stadion Za Lužánkami, Brno  Finland 1–0 4–1 Friendly
3. 8 March 1995 Stadion Za Lužánkami, Brno  Finland 2–0 4–1 Friendly
4. 29 March 1995 Bazaly, Ostrava  Belarus 2–0 4–2 Euro 1996 qualifying
5. 29 March 1995 Bazaly, Ostrava  Belarus 3–1 4–2 Euro 1996 qualifying
6. 26 April 1995 Letná Stadium, Prague  Netherlands 3–1 3–1 Euro 1996 qualifying
7. 7 October 1995 Dinamo Stadium, Minsk  Belgium 2–0 2–0 Euro 1996 qualifying
8. 15 November 1995 Letná Stadium, Prague  Luxembourg 3–0 3–0 Euro 1996 qualifying
9. 30 June 1996 Wembley Stadium, London  Germany 1–0 1–2 Euro 1996
10. 18 September 1996 Na Stínadlech, Teplice  Malta 1–0 6–0 1998 World Cup qualification
11. 18 September 1996 Na Stínadlech, Teplice  Malta 3–0 6–0 1998 World Cup qualification
12. 26 February 1997 Zimní Stadion, Podebrady  Belgium 4–1 4–1 Friendly
13. 14 October 1998 Na Stínadlech, Teplice  Estonia 2–0 4–1 Euro 2000 qualifying
14. 14 October 1998 Na Stínadlech, Teplice  Estonia 3–0 4–1 Euro 2000 qualifying
14. 27 March 1999 Na Stínadlech, Teplice  Lithuania 2–0 2–0 Euro 2000 qualifying
15. 5 June 1999 Kadrioru Stadium, Tallinn  Estonia 1–0 2–0 Euro 2000 qualifying
16. 8 September 1999 Na Stínadlech, Teplice  Bosnia and Herzegovina 2–0 3–0 Euro 2000 qualifying
17. 3 June 2000 Frankenstadion, Nuremberg  Germany 2–2 2–3 Friendly

Honours

Borussia Dortmund
1995
1995–96
Liverpool
2001
2001, 2003
2001
2001
2001
Czech Republic
1996

References

  1. ^ Harris, Nick (9 October 2002). "Demoralised Slovaks put hope before expectation". London: independent.co.uk. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/internationals/demoralised-slovaks-put-hope-before-expectation-613594.html. Retrieved 10 February 2008. 
  2. ^ a b c d "Patrik Berger". lfchistory.net. http://www.lfchistory.net/player_profile.asp?player_id=266. Retrieved 10 February 2008. 
  3. ^ a b c d Matthews, Tony (2006), p. 29.
  4. ^ "23 Patrik Berger". soccernet.espn.go.com. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/profile?id=7489&cc=5739. Retrieved 4 March 2008. 
  5. ^ a b c d e "Past Player Profile: Patrik Berger". liverpoolfc.tv. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/history/past-players/patrik-berger. Retrieved 3 February 2011. 
  6. ^ "Patrick Berger". uk.eurosport.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 17 January 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080117180833/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/patrick-berger.html. Retrieved 25 July 2010. 
  7. ^ Mills, Bill (20 October 1996). "Czech Mates!; Fergie has never had a go at my hair says Karel". findarticles.com (Sunday Mirror). http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_19961020/ai_n14459424. Retrieved 13 February 2008. 
  8. ^ a b "Berger shaping up for battle". timesonline.co.uk (London: Sunday Times). 8 February 2004. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article1014298.ece. Retrieved 13 February 2008. 
  9. ^ "Berger Sparks Liverpool Goal-rush". 4thegame.com. 22 September 1996. http://www.4thegame.com/club/liverpool-fc/news/16782/BERGER+SPARKS+LIVERPOOL+GOAL-RUSH.html. Retrieved 14 February 2008. 
  10. ^ "Berger looks to increase his tally". 4thegame.com. 29 September 1996. http://www.4thegame.com/club/liverpool-fc/news/16790/BERGER+LOOKS+TO+INCREASE+HIS+TALLY.html. Retrieved 14 February 2008. 
  11. ^ "Evans insists Collymore stays". 4thegame.com. 11 October 1996. http://www.4thegame.com/club/liverpool-fc/news/16805/EVANS+INSISTS+COLLYMORE+STAYS.html. Retrieved 14 February 2008. 
  12. ^ a b "Berger Boost for Evans". 4thegame.com. http://www.4thegame.com/club/liverpool-fc/news/42368/BERGER+BOOST+FOR+EVANS.html. Retrieved 22 February 2008. 
  13. ^ Hetherington, Paul (15 November 1998). "Football: You're in for a serious Czech-up". findarticles.com (Sunday Mirror). http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_19981115/ai_n14483508. Retrieved 22 February 2008. 
  14. ^ a b Hetherington, Paul (13 February 2000). "Football: Berger relishing life without Roy; How Houllier Saved Red". findarticles.com (Sunday Mirror). http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20000213/ai_n14502613. Retrieved 22 February 2008. 
  15. ^ "Football: Berger and Liverpool set for parting of the ways". findarticles.com (London: The Independent). 12 March 1998. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-berger-and-liverpool-set-for-parting-of-the-ways-1149828.html. Retrieved 3 February 2011. 
  16. ^ "Berger seeks all-clear stateside". news.bbc.co.uk (BBC News). 13 January 2001. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/1115637.stm. Retrieved 26 February 2008. 
  17. ^ a b "Berger signs for Portsmouth". news.bbc.co.uk (BBC Sport). 6 June 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/2968948.stm. Retrieved 3 March 2008. 
  18. ^ "Portsmouth capture Berger". UEFA.com. 6 June 2003. http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=73572.html. Retrieved 8 May 2008. 
  19. ^ "Pompey stun Liverpool". BBC News. 18 October 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3191294.stm. 
  20. ^ "Goal of the season". BBC News. 31 May 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/match_of_the_day/4539961.stm. 
  21. ^ "Berger set for Aston Villa move". BBC. 17 May 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/4554201.stm. Retrieved 8 May 2008. 
  22. ^ "Stoke complete Berger loan swoop". BBC Sport. 23 November 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/6178302.stm. Retrieved 225 July 2010. 
  23. ^ Hodgson, Guy (8 April 2007). "Blackburn Rovers 1 Aston Villa 2: Berger answers O'Neill SOS to give Rovers their chips". The Independent (London). http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/blackburn-rovers-1-aston-villa-2-berger-answers-oneill-sos-to-give-rovers-their-chips-443780.html. Retrieved 22 May 2010. 
  24. ^ Combes, Alan (7 May 2007). "Aston Villa 3 Sheffield United 0: Imperious Berger helps Villa to evoke memories of 1982". The Independent (London). http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/aston-villa-3-sheffield-united-0-imperious-berger-helps-villa-to-evoke-memories-of-1982-447795.html. Retrieved 22 May 2010. 
  25. ^ "Berger agrees to stay with Villa". BBC Sport. 28 May 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/6698223.stm. Retrieved 25 July 2010. 
  26. ^ "Berger is shown door by O'Neill". BBC Sport. 6 May 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/7386252.stm. Retrieved 6 January 2010. 
  27. ^ "Villa release Sorensen and Berger". BBC Sport. 15 May 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/7403464.stm. Retrieved 6 January 2010. 
  28. ^ "VILLA FANS BEG BARRY TO STAY". Daily Star. 30 May 2008. http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/39234/Villa-fans-beg-Barry-to-stay/. Retrieved 6 January 2010. 
  29. ^ "Berger beendet Karriere [Berger terminates career]" (in German). transfermarkt.de. 6 January 2010. http://www.transfermarkt.de/de/news/10736/berger-beendet-karriere.html. Retrieved 25 July 2010. 
  30. ^ "Former Liverpool midfielder Patrik Berger retires". BBC Sport. 6 January 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8443744.stm. Retrieved 6 January 2010. 
  31. ^ "Patrik Berger". Aston Villa. http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/PlayerProfiles/0,,10265~5817,00.html. Retrieved 3 February 2011. 
  32. ^ "Patrik Berger – International Appearances". RSSSF. http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/pberger-intl.html. Retrieved 2011-02-03. 

External links
Czech Republic squad – UEFA Euro 1996 Runners-up
Czech Republic squad – UEFA Euro 2000