Mariusz Jop after #WISSTM: We can think about the future in good spirits

After the White Star's confident 3-0 victory over Stal Mielec, Wisła Kraków's coach Mariusz Jop summed up his players' performance at the post-match press conference.

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After a clear 3:0 victory of Biała Gwiazda over Stal Mielec, the coach of Wisła Kraków, Mariusz Jop, summarized his players' performance at the post-match conference.

 

"At no point was there any doubt about who dominated this match, who was the better team, and who deservedly won. I am very happy that during the last match of this year, we were able to show good football to our fans who came to the stadium. I think the first half was a spectacle. Many chances, three goals, and I think it was enjoyable. I am also happy that we started the spring round, the return round, with a victory, because as I said, our goal is to win this spring round. So, I think we can look to the future with good spirits. Of course, we know that we still have two tough matches ahead of us. We will start preparing for them tomorrow, meaning the cup match and the match against ŁKS, which concludes this year's competition," coach Jop summarized.

Was the control and calmness in the second half due to the calculation that you still have two matches this year? "No, quite the opposite. In the locker room at halftime, we told ourselves that we wanted to continue what we had in the first half. We wanted to go for more goals, and the start was very good. We tried to finish those plays a bit too intricately, because Rodado could have shot from about five meters without a first touch, and Duda had his chance. There was a lot of action there. There was also a lot of danger from set pieces. We didn't want to treat this second half as just time to get through. I think the number of substitutions and rotation in positions means that some fluidity is lost, which is natural. All in all, I think we can be satisfied," he said.

The performance of Marko Božić, who started in the league for the first time today. "He worked hard in training and friendlies, waiting for this moment to start in the first eleven. I think he made the most of it. We can't say that anyone played poorly today. I think everyone played at a very good level, and Božić was also one of the best players today," the Biała Gwiazda coach assessed.

Wisła increased its lead over 3rd place. However, concentration cannot be lost. "I think the time for summing up will come after the last match, to do it properly. The average points per game is pleasing. After this victory, it's 2.33 points per game. We don't have much influence on how our rivals play, but the table is such that the lead has grown to 11 points after today's match. That's a solid advantage. However, we know that various things happen in football. There is absolutely no relaxation on our part. We know that there is still work ahead of us and a lot to do. So, with this attitude, we want to finish this week, and then rest well and work hard before the return matches next year," the coach stated.

Frederico Duarte broke his scoring drought today and scored a goal. "I think that for every player, if we were to look through all their matches, especially those who played a lot, there were moments when they had weaker games. Duarte also had a weaker period, but beyond what the fans see, I also see the players in their daily work, and I also see their attitude and how much they give of themselves. Duarte is a player who always works to the maximum, and he simply earned his spot in training," he said.

What is more valuable to the coach? A clean sheet or a very good performance in the first half? "Can I choose both options? Then I choose both," he stated briefly.

After this match, do you have a plan ready for the match against Zawisza in the Polish Cup? "I had the concept in my head earlier. First of all, the question is always whether everyone will be healthy after the match. For now, it seems everyone is in full strength, and yes, there is a concept for Thursday regarding the lineup," concluded Wisła Kraków coach Mariusz Jop.