22 points and sixth place at the end of the autumn round of the Central Junior League. That was the tally recorded in the first part of the season by the White Star’s youth team. “We realize that in several matches we were visibly the better team and controlled the game, but unfortunately we were unable to turn that into a favorable result,” explains U-15 head coach Dawid Ślusarczyk, who summarizes the first part of the season and outlines a clear objective for the spring round.

You won 22 points in the autumn round of the CLJ U-15. How did the first part of the season look from the coach’s perspective?

When discussing it with the team, we jointly conclude that the 22 points we earned in the autumn round are not a sufficient result for us. We definitely feel that we are capable of more. Several factors influenced the outcome. We realize that in a few matches we were visibly the better team and controlled the game, but unfortunately we were unable to turn that into a favorable result. In such matches, we sometimes lost, while on other occasions they ended in a draw that did not fully reflect our efforts and dominance on the pitch. These are the elements we need to improve in the spring round.

Which match, in the coach’s opinion, was the team’s best performance in the autumn round?

Although the match against Sandecja ended in a draw, I believe the first half was one of the best we played in this round. Everything worked perfectly on the pitch, at the individual, group, and team levels.

We were well organized, moved the ball smoothly, and our play was very cohesive. Unfortunately, the second half did not go our way. Unnecessary nerves crept in, which ultimately affected the result. Matches like this are a valuable lesson for us because they show how important concentration and composure are throughout the full 90 minutes.

⁠For the coach and the vast majority of the players, this season is their debut at CLJ level. Where does the coach see the biggest differences compared with the regional competitions? And did anything surprise you at CLJ level?

Indeed, this was my debut as a head coach in the CLJ competition. For most of the players, it was also a new experience, although several of them had already had the opportunity to play at this level with an older age group in the previous season. Those players displayed considerable composure and calm before matches, which had a positive influence on the team. For me, the key was being able to draw on the experience I gained as an assistant with the 2007 and 2008 age-group teams, which helped me prepare better for this role.

The biggest differences between the regional competitions and the CLJ are primarily logistical challenges—longer journeys to matches, which required us to pay particular attention to recovery and physical preparation. This was new for the players. Another aspect was the role we often found ourselves in before matches—as leaders and favorites. Learning to handle that pressure during games was an important part of our education at this level of competition.⁠

When we spoke before the season, you said that you were somewhat concerned about the level of competition, which had undergone major restructuring. What was it like in reality?

The level of competition is indeed lower than in previous years, which is directly related to the league restructuring. An analysis of the results of various teams shows that very high scores occurred quite often, indicating a clear disparity between the teams in the league. One effect of the restructuring is also the reduced number of matches against particular opponents.

This makes it more difficult to fully prepare for an opponent through return fixtures and observing their play over a longer period. This situation has its consequences—on the one hand, these are matches in which we can impose our dominance, but on the other, they create pitfalls. Matches against teams that defend deep and limit their play to one or two counterattacks can be particularly difficult. One effective opportunity for the opponent can lead to an unexpected result. This is a challenge that requires exceptional concentration and precision in executing our tactical plans. ⁠

You also relied heavily in the past round on players born in 2011, who are playing an increasingly important role in the team. What will your approach be toward players from younger age groups in the spring round?

Indeed, as many as seven players born in 2011 had the opportunity to appear in matches during the current round. This was due to the small size of the 2010 age-group squad and injuries related to adolescence, which affected our team. It is worth emphasizing, however, that the younger players not only coped well but often brought a certain quality to the team.

The philosophy of our Academy is primarily to ensure that players have the opportunity to compete at the level that is optimal for their development at a given moment. Too many matches in a demanding environment can be demotivating or lead to burnout, but competitions that do not provide an appropriate challenge can be equally detrimental. The key challenge, therefore, is to find a balance—to provide the boys with both matches in more demanding conditions and matches that allow them to build confidence. We must also remember that every player, regardless of whether they were born in 2010 or 2011, needs an appropriate amount of playing time to develop harmoniously.

It is our role as coaches to ensure healthy competition and the opportunity to compete for minutes at different levels of competition. This is how we can create an environment that supports their long-term development.

What objective have you set for the team for the spring round?

Our main objective for the spring round will be to stabilize our performance and play at a consistently high level of concentration and commitment in every match. In terms of results, we want to get as close to the podium as possible and fight for a place there until the very end. However, we view the result as a product of a process focused on the comprehensive development of the players—both footballing and mental.

Our priority is to prepare them to compete at the highest level in every match. In terms of the players’ long-term preparation, our goal is to create training and friendly-match conditions that will allow them to face the demands awaiting them next season in the U16 category. For players with strong potential, we also plan to enable them to train with the U17 team in order to accelerate their development and prepare them for the next challenges.

⁠In the first part of the season, your performances were often inconsistent. Victories were frequently followed by defeats. What caused this uneven form?

Our uneven form in the first part of the season was a natural part of our development as a team. Every match at CLJ level presents us with new challenges, and experiences such as squad rotations and varied match scenarios teach us how to respond in different situations. In many matches, the team showed enormous potential, but there were moments when it was difficult to maintain a consistent level throughout the entire game.

This is completely normal in the process of building a team and developing players individually. In the spring, we want to focus on stabilizing our form and learning from our experiences so far, which will help us achieve even better results.

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