Mariusz Jop after #WIEWIS: We were definitely the better team
The match between Wieczysta and Wisła ended in a draw.
The match between Wieczysta and Wisła ended in a draw. Biała Gwiazda equalized in injury time, dominating the entire game. The goal for 1-1 was scored by Wiktor Biedrzycki. Coach Jop summarized the "Derby in good style" at the post-match conference.
"I have very mixed feelings. On the one hand, a great sense of unfulfillment that we didn't win today, because I believe we completely dominated. We were absolutely better in almost every aspect. Not in terms of goals scored. On the other hand, there's satisfaction that this team always fights to the end, always acts with belief according to our principles, and in the end, a goal that ultimately gives us a point, an important point. However, as I said, there's a great sense of unfulfillment, but I believe we were the decidedly better team and deserved to win today. As it often happens in football, the better team doesn't always win. I congratulate the team on a very good performance, a very good match. I think the fans had a great day. There were a lot of emotions, a lot of chances today. We would definitely like to see such matches more often. I hope next time there will be more goals from our side, because we created a lot of chances today," summarized coach Jop.
Was there a lack of simple decisions to shoot? "That's right, I also had the feeling that there were moments when we should have decided to shoot the ball sooner. The player assesses, and apparently he decided that his position wasn't good enough, wasn't prepared enough to shoot accurately, so he looked for other solutions. I agree, and several times I had the impression that we should have, above all, sought to finalize without taking a touch earlier," replied the coach.
There were some controversies. "We have to trust the referee. I didn't see those situations in replays later, so I absolutely don't want to judge it. Mr. Frankowski is a well-known referee, let's also trust the person. There's VAR to check it. Let's not look for a problem here, because I believe from my perspective there wasn't one. I want to focus on what I have control over and improve it in training," he responded.
Baniowski, who came on, met expectations. "I think everyone who came onto the pitch today gave the team a good impulse. Everyone without exception. The same goes for Filip, who also recently returned to training after a long break due to injury. He also played a match for the second team. He is definitely a guy we are counting on in the future. Of course, he still has to work very hard on elements that are both good and weaker. Today, a few nice plays, a few good crosses, and finally a contribution to the goal," Mariusz Jop summarized the work of the substitutes.
This season, the promoted teams are very strong. Which of them was the toughest opponent? "I think each match was different. First, Pogoń Grodzisk Mazowiecki, who presented themselves well here. They played offensive, interesting, brave football. That's one. Two, Polonia Bytom - very good organization and a difficult opponent, whom we beat in the previous round when they were at their peak form. Today, Wieczysta, who certainly has a lot of individual quality, but was dominated by us. I don't want to say who is better, who is worse. Looking at the table, Wieczysta is in second place, so credit to them for accumulating points and being effective in their actions," the coach compared and summarized.
Assessment of Maciej Kuziemka's performance. Was he a bit less involved today? "Maciek Kuziemka created two very good chances for the team. In one, after switching sides, after his move to the center, he passed to Duarte. There was a slightly inaccurate pass there, where Fred eventually shot at goal, but the goalkeeper saved it. The second situation, after switching sides, where Duda was looking for Rodado with a through ball, but he also had two other players on his left side, so I disagree with that. Of course, in the first half we played more on the left side through Lelieveld, who has good quality when it comes to positional attacking. However, I don't think Kuziemka played a weak match today, because he had his good moments," Mariusz Jop analyzed.
The plan for the match - to pen Wieczysta in their penalty area? "We dominated the opponent physically today as well. This is practically our plan for every match, to be high up, to be good in duels from the very beginning, to create chances, to score a goal as quickly as possible. Sometimes you have to wait until the 95th or 97th minute for that goal. I think the team truly deserves praise for today's match. I remind you that we also had one less day of regeneration. That matters, but it absolutely wasn't visible. Everyone, in every aspect, looked very good today," he said.
Wisła now has a 5-point lead over the third-placed team. Does that satisfy the coach? "I think that scoring an average of about 2.5 points per match is excellent scoring. I'm absolutely not complaining. I'm happy that we have so many points at this moment. Practically all statistics are in our favor, regarding goals scored and goals conceded. This team has improved many things. I accept this with satisfaction. Of course, we can always look for something. For example, that in this match we could have scored two more points, or one point against some opponent could have been considered two lost points. Generally, summarizing these 11 rounds, I am satisfied, and I think the team should also be satisfied," concluded coach Mariusz Jop.