The White Star’s head coach presented the team’s squad situation at a press conference ahead of the upcoming clash and discussed the preparation plan and key tactical aspects for the match against Śląsk Wrocław.

Maintaining form after the win over Jagiellonia Białystok

Asked what had been done over the past week to maintain the footballing and mental level shown in the previous match, Mariusz Jop replied: “Our way of working does not change much, regardless of whether we win, lose or draw. There is a certain framework according to which we work. Of course, we sometimes change the emphasis, because some things remain constant, while there are also certain elements that, after a match, we know need more attention. We certainly continued working on our defensive play, protecting the penalty area and attacking the penalty area. We also prepared offensive options, considering which spaces we could exploit against an opponent playing in a particular structure. So, normal, classic preparation for a match. I think that game gave the players confidence and made me believe even more strongly that we are capable of playing on equal terms with every opponent in the PKO BP Ekstraklasa. Let us remember that Jagiellonia have been at the very top for the last three seasons or so and play in European competitions, so they were certainly a worthy opponent. However, we know that we have to prepare for every match as thoroughly as possible. What happened is history. We have to keep confirming our form, and there is no better place to do that than on the pitch.”

Remembering the big win from last season

Asked whether the 5-0 win over Śląsk in the spring round had been mentioned in the dressing room and whether there was a desire to prove their superiority, the coach replied: “It would be fantastic if we repeated such a match, a big 5-0 victory in front of our own fans. Generally, I do not like looking back at something that happened six months ago, because I know that in football that is a long time. Even more than six months is a very long period in football, and here we have to prepare from scratch. The opponent has changed significantly, plays in a different structure than they did then and has many new players. We are closer to what we did in the first division in terms of our playing model, whereas a lot has changed for our opponent, so I would not look for parallels here. Of course, I would like the match to end that way, but we know that we have to prepare for it as we do for any other match, and no one will give us anything for free.”

On-pitch duels and proactive defensive play

Referring to the conclusions from the opponent’s analysis and the key role of winning individual battles, the Wisła Kraków coach noted: “The analysis was done, as always, and we spent the entire week preparing a match plan based on it. The issue of duels has always been very important and remains very important. Against Jagiellonia, we had a really high percentage of defensive duels won - 68%, if I remember correctly. That is a lot, and it is the absolute foundation of defensive play. We talk about staying close together and keeping our shape, but in the end there is always that duel with the opponent in my zone. We know that this is extremely important. We also work hard on it and pay attention to being proactive, closing down space and taking time away from the opponent on the ball. That is one of our main defensive principles. Of course, we will want to maintain this high level of effectiveness in defensive play and one-on-one duels.”

Assessing Śląsk Wrocław’s form and maintaining focus

Asked about the Wrocław side’s performances in the competition, the absence of their leader and the threats posed by their style of play, the coach warned against underestimating the opponent: “Śląsk have picked up far fewer points than us so far, because they are just above the relegation zone, but if you look at the details, they have played against the top teams and lost those matches narrowly. They have not lost a single match by more than one goal. They drew 1-1 away to Legia, also conceding late. That is characteristic, and you can see it when they concede and score goals. A lot happens in the last 15 minutes, so that is also information for us about how we should behave, especially towards the end of the match depending on the score. The absence of Piotr Samiec-Talar? That is not our problem; other players will be there trying to replace him. Linetty came into his role quite well. He is an experienced player who also has a lot of quality and can control the tempo of the match. I certainly do not see this as a team from the bottom of the table coming to play us, because at the moment we are not paying attention to that at all. Firstly, the league is evenly matched, and I think that will also be visible in the later stages of the competition. Secondly, not everyone has played the same number of matches yet; things are only now beginning to even out, so we absolutely do not look at our opponent that way.”

Plans for the three-week international break

Asked to outline the team’s work schedule during the upcoming period without league matches, Mariusz Jop explained: “First of all, we want to rest. The players need that rest, both physically and mentally. We will certainly use this time to allow players with injuries to recover fully, so that we have more options when it comes to training and matches later on. We are planning a friendly against Piast a week before Legia. We play Legia on Sunday, 11 September, and it will also be a slightly longer microcycle, because we are planning the match against Piast for the Friday a week before Legia. On that first weekend, we will also play Dalin on Saturday for the opening of the stadium in Myślenice, on a day when a lot will be happening: the meeting here at 11:00 at the main stadium, then the match against Dalin in Myślenice, followed in the evening by lasers and the team presentation. So it should be an interesting day. First, rest; second, hard work and normal preparation for the next league match. The friendly against Piast? It was originally supposed to be in Gliwice, but things have changed slightly there, so we may play in Myślenice.”

Managing changes and squad depth

Responding to a question about the small number of changes made during the previous match, he said: “The situations vary, but we certainly need all our players. The fact that the starting players - those who began the match - looked so good is also down to those who did not play in that match. Through the quality of their training, their intensity and their proper commitment, they raise the level of training, and that is very important for us. The second issue is that when the team is functioning very well, as it did against Jagiellonia, I know it is not easy to come on and immediately sense the distances and the things needed in defensive play. I remind you that in the second half we defended in a medium and low block for long periods and waited for our moments. It is not easy to sense those spaces when coming in from the side, hence the limited number of changes. Elie was substituted because, in my opinion - and I said this immediately after the match - physically he was no longer able to fill the spaces we wanted him to occupy. I know we would like to see more changes, but first of all, there is not always a need for them.”

Refereeing in the PKO BP Ekstraklasa

Asked about the turmoil surrounding referees in the Polish league and its impact on the team’s day-to-day functioning, the coach admitted: “The referee is always a very important part of what happens on the pitch, and their decisions genuinely affect match results. The situation as it is now is certainly not comfortable for them, because they have a very difficult job. This additional uncertainty, confusion and focus on elements not fully related to their work on the pitch is not beneficial for them, because it creates uncertainty and later affects their decision-making. I certainly do not envy them, because the atmosphere around referees is unfavorable at the moment. It seemed that we had dealt with certain problems in this area, but they have returned to us somewhat unexpectedly. It would certainly be good to put this situation in order and calm it down, so that the people who, as I said, have a very difficult job can feel comfortable and focus solely on what is happening on the pitch.”

Individual progress and the adaptation process

Asked about the players’ development after promotion and who had made the greatest progress recently, he replied: “A footballer’s progress can sometimes come in leaps. There is some growth, then a period of stabilization, and sometimes a step backwards. Players are at different stages. The whole point is to have as many players as possible close to their peak, because that gives us a lot as a team. Individually, Kuba stands out, and Kacper Duda also has matches in which he is very good. I am thinking primarily of the young players who have been associated with Wisła for a long time. I think Angel has reached a good level, and when I watch him in training, I see that he looks good, or even very good, I would say. Bozo has always been a dangerous player offensively, and he is confirming that at PKO BP Ekstraklasa level as well. Gigi is excellent defensively; we also knew that he was very good in duels. Among the center-backs, Alan in particular, after many health-related difficulties, is showing that he earned his place in the starting eleven on sporting merit and confirms in every match that he is one of the better players on the pitch. So I could say practically the same about everyone: they have had very good matches. Of course, there are also weaker moments, or players have their own problems in certain phases; I know their individual characteristics. Training is there to improve the good aspects, but also to focus on the elements that need work.”

Expected match intensity and Marko Bozić’s versatility

Asked to comment on the Śląsk coach’s remarks about Wisła’s play under pressure and to assess Bozić’s development, he replied: “I am very pleased that this will be an intense match. We like intensity. If the opponent is also planning and approaching the game that way, I think it will only enhance the spectacle in tomorrow’s match. Marko is, above all, a very intelligent footballer. He also knows that the opponent analyzes him and, knowing his strength - cutting inside to shoot or cross - sometimes tries to put two players there. Marko can assess well when to exploit, for example, a number ten’s movement inside, when to cut inside, when he can dribble to the byline or cross with his left foot, because he can do that very well too. So it is a matter of intelligence and decision-making on the pitch in order to be effective.”

Extending players’ contracts

Asked whether the break in the competition would be used for contract talks with key players, he replied: “This has already been happening for some time. It is not as though the sporting department is doing nothing about it. These talks are taking place, and as far as I know, we are very close to extending several contracts. But let us wait for official announcements from the club. It is not that the international break will arrive and this will only then begin; it has already been happening for some time.”

Marcel Łubik’s leadership qualities

Asked about the goalkeeper’s quick adaptation and his influence in the dressing room, Mariusz Jop emphasized: “Marcel is the type of player who certainly has that leadership gene in him. It comes naturally to him. Essentially from the first moment he joined us, he has had a way of being in which he talks a lot in the dressing room and reminds people of things. On the one hand, he probably also does it for himself, to stay focused, because I think that kind of communication helps with that, but he also reminds us of the important things we talk about as a team. But he is not the only one. If the fans could enter the dressing room before a match and listen to what the players say, they would hear the essence of what we focus on. That makes me very happy, because you can see that a process we started almost two years ago is in the players’ minds. I think it also makes things much easier for the staff later, because the players know exactly what they should expect from one another and what the coaching staff expects from them.”

Jordi Sanchez’s reaction after scoring

Asked about the reaction and gestures of the former Wisła striker, directed towards the club authorities after scoring, he replied briefly: “I do not know what he meant or what he wanted to communicate. However, I am a supporter of face-to-face conversations when someone feels hurt in some way or wants to communicate something. I think there are other communication channels than that,” said the Wisła Kraków coach.

The full recording of the press conference is available on Wisła Kraków’s official YouTube channel - we encourage you to watch it and subscribe to stay up to date with the club’s content.