Ervín Matta on the club’s ambitions and spring revival
Lokomotiva Košice remains one of the traditional names in Slovak football. With decades of history, major cup successes, and strong local support, the club is now steadily building a new chapter after several difficult years.
Following financial problems and the loss of a key sponsor after the 2018/2019 season, Lokomotiva dropped as far as the fifth tier of Slovak football. Since then, the club has gradually stabilised and worked its way back up to the 3. Liga East.
After an inconsistent autumn campaign, significant changes during the winter break brought fresh energy to the squad, and Loky’s spring form has been far more positive. The team has moved away from the relegation zone and the club’s ambitions are growing again.
One of the players helping drive that progress is 25-year-old midfielder Ervín Matta.
Interestingly, his football journey began in Čermeľ — the current home of Lokomotiva. He joined the MFK Košice academy as a six-year-old and progressed through the youth categories before later playing for Senica, FC Košice, Trebišov, and Stará Ľubovňa.
Matta remembers his years in Trebišov fondly, but after the club’s men’s football project came to an unfortunate end, he moved on and eventually joined Lokomotiva Košice.
Speaking about the current season, he described the recent match against Humenné as one of Loky’s strongest performances of the spring, despite the disappointing ending. He also highlighted the convincing 4:1 victory against Lipany as another standout display.
On the other hand, the away match in Medzev was, in his view, the team’s most difficult performance, with Loky rescuing a draw only in the closing minutes.
According to Matta, the club’s goals are clear. Lokomotiva wants to play attractive football that brings more supporters back to Čermeľ while also raising the club’s profile again.
At the same time, the team is already thinking about the future and building a squad capable of fighting near the top of the table next season.
Matta himself remains ambitious. At 25, he still sees room for improvement and wants to use his experience to help younger players develop while pushing the club forward.
His immediate personal goal is simple — helping Lokomotiva Košice earn promotion to Slovakia’s second division.
He also believes the third tier should not be underestimated.
“Every team wants to beat a club like Lokomotiva,” he says.
And with Loky’s recent form attracting growing attention again, that challenge is only becoming bigger.
You can read the full original interview on Sportnet here: Sportnet – interview with Ervín Matta ->
