"The match against MFK Karvina was a summary of the first part of our preparations. The players started training and haven't had a day off since. This period can be combined with the two-day period we spent in Myślenice before the Karvina match. The players performed a very large volume of work. We assumed that this preparation period and, in general, the training sessions and the level of intensity and volume of activities would be about 15-20% higher. It depends on the motor emphasis. The players are handling these loads very well. Today's friendly was very useful. Playing for 45 minutes. Good intensity, many elements we worked on functioned quite well. In summary, it was definitely a good period in terms of work done, and we are satisfied with it. Of course, when loads are increased, there is always a greater risk of injuries. This is something natural, and we consciously increased the loads. Apart from Dario, who slightly pulled a muscle during training, we don't have such muscle injuries. Those returning after rehabilitation are still making progress, getting closer to full training. I'm referring to Roda, Julius, and Jaroch. You could say that everything is going according to plan.

Julius and Wiktor's preparations

I wouldn't want to make predictions in Julius's case. I can only say that from week to week, the situation is improving, and the loads are being increased. He responds well to them. I'm optimistic, but I wouldn't want to declare whether it will be in a week or two. In this particular case, we need to continuously monitor how his body reacts to increased loads. Wiktor should resume normal training from Tuesday, so it's a short break, as he's essentially been out of training for the last two or three days. It's not a more serious issue.

New faces in the locker room

Marcel and Maxence are players we wanted, whom we had scouted for a long time. In Marcel's case, it was more of an opportunity and a chance to acquire this player. I'm very happy that he joined us because we know he has high quality and can help our team. The same applies to Maxence. He is a player who was scouted and is being integrated into our style of play. He looks better and better because, as you know, he played in a slightly different system than ours. He needs time, but he works well, wants to join the group as soon as possible, and I think he's on the right track to genuinely strengthen the team.

Further transfers

We definitely need to be patient in this regard. The entire sports department is working very hard on this, and there are many names around which discussions are taking place. However, reaching a final decision, signing a contract, is often a long road, and sometimes it seems like something is very close, and suddenly the situation changes. It also has a flip side. There are moments when an option suddenly appears that previously seemed unrealistic. We need to be patient. Of course, from my perspective, I would like to have these players as early as possible to integrate them into the team faster. However, I have full confidence in the sports department and the sports director. I also know that it's not easy for us. We have many filters when it comes to financial matters and our capabilities. We also have our strengths, which we can use to convince good players to join us and genuinely be a support.

Youth players joined the team during pre-season preparations: Oliwier Pławiński, Karol Tokarczyk, Maksym Tsymbalyuk

They are generally performing well. They are coping quite well with the loads, because for some, it's a new situation – working at such intensity. They are doing well. For example, Oliwier is a guy who is with us for the first time. Tokar was already here a bit earlier, he's a more experienced, seasoned player. It's a bit easier for him to adapt. However, Maksym and Oliwier are younger players who need a bit more time to adapt, to understand the mechanisms within the team, regarding tactical assumptions and expectations. They work with good commitment, want to develop, want to learn, so generally, we are satisfied with them in terms of the work they've done.

I think it's too early for chances in league matches at this stage. This is related to many factors. Let's remember that at the moment, Rodado, Dario Grujcić, Julius Ertlthaler, and Bartosz Jaroch – three or four players who were key players – are currently out of team training. If we also consider reinforcements, meaning potentially, I don't want to give numbers, but what players will join us, then the squad will naturally be larger. For example, today there were 20 players ready to play plus three goalkeepers. If we add the injured players, when another two or three return, there are training sessions where it doesn't make sense to keep 26 or 27 players. Naturally, they will be rotated. However, it's important to leave a good impression and be genuinely remembered as someone who, when they come to training and if there's a need to be in the 20 or come onto the pitch, they will be ready for it. This is something that is important from their perspective, but also from our perspective, if we know that there are players in the second team whom we can also count on.

Wiktor Staszak's return from loan

He looks good, just like the whole team. I wouldn't say anyone stands out among the young players. Wiktor works diligently, he has good moments. There are also areas he needs to focus on more, regarding his actions with the ball, but also without it. He mentioned he improved his defensive play – indeed, it's a bit better, but there's still room for development here. He scored a goal in Saturday's friendly, which is a plus. He is definitely a guy we are still observing and we will make decisions about what's next, depending on who joins us.

Defensive line-up, rotations, plans

One must remember that friendly games and this preparatory phase are also for preparing for situations that may arise later in the league, because we don't know who will ultimately be available. If we have five centre-backs, we choose the best two. However, it could be that someone gets injured, someone gets carded, hence the experimentation with different configurations. This doesn't only apply to Maxence, but also to other players. We want to feel their cooperation both in training and in friendly matches. The cooperation of players in various configurations is why we do this. Max is a player who can play both on the right and on the left side. From what I've observed, he feels better on the right. So, you could say that ultimately Wiktor will compete with him, as will Alan and Kutwi. In fact, we only have one typical left-sided centre-back at the moment, but Kutwi can play on the left, and Max can too, and Alan can also play there if needed. I think Wiktor is more of a player for whom the right-sided centre-back position is his optimal position.

Before joining Wisła, there were matches where Max played as a number 6, but that depends on the style and way of playing. We are a team that wants to build through the middle, and that's not his characteristic. Of course, in terms of defensive actions, absolutely. With his height, he naturally has greater strengths than shorter players, who are more mobile, better with the ball, and it's harder to dispossess them with his physical attributes. It's certainly something that is harder for him to do. He feels better facing forward, seeing the whole team in front of him, rather than between the lines. It's an option, but perhaps for moments when we would be in a low block. For now, we are testing him both as a left-sided and right-sided centre-back.

Marc Carbó with a goal in the friendly against Karvina

He scored goals in friendlies. I remember he also scored a goal here in Myślenice last round. Marc looks good, and he also knows that he has to work hard to be in the starting eleven. He is real competition for James and Dudi, but also for Ervin and Wiktor Staszak. At this moment, one could say that we are moving around these five players when it comes to the number 6-8 position. Marc is sending good signals, which makes me very happy. This is always something that makes the team improve and players develop. If they feel that a teammate in that position played well, it must motivate me to work even harder. I'm glad that Marc is back to himself. In terms of his movement, but also his actions with the ball, because today he was definitely a standout player.

Frederico Duarte's position on the field

Dua performs very well in the left-wing position. He is also an option for the number 10 position in the future. We know that Dua is a player who can play practically in any offensive position, both on the right and left wing, and as a number 9 and number 10. This is his great asset. As of today, considering injuries and the situation, he is placed in the number 10 position, and Jordi in the number 9 position.

Outgoing transfers?

Everything depends on who comes in and what the health situation looks like. At this moment, with the squad we have, the players who are here must stay with us. As I mentioned, we have twenty healthy players to compete, taking into account those who have joined us. There is no room for anyone to leave us at this time. If the injured players return, if someone new joins us, there will certainly be a question mark over two or three players. Is it good for them to stay and play more in the second team, or would it be better for them to look for solutions outside the club, for loans? These are topics for the future.

No teams from PKO BP Ekstraklasa among sparring partners

I think we will have the opportunity to compete with them for points, so it's not something crucial for me at this moment. It's important that the opponent is at a good level. I think both today's friendly and what's ahead of us are teams at a good level, which allows us to test the solutions we're working on. So I have no concerns here.

Match against Wrexham coming soon

Let's remember that we are preparing for a match in the PKO BP Ekstraklasa, for the first game against GKS. The match against Wrexham is also a stage of preparation for the season. So, the players definitely won't feel fantastic in terms of motor aspects. Of course! This is an important match for us, we want to play to win, as always, but the most important thing for us is this preparation process for the league competition.

Angel Rodado's return to form

Angel is making progress in his preparations. You could say that soon he will be able to participate in drills involving contact with opponents. We are still waiting for the green light from the doctor; Rodado is already burning to be fully with the team. However, for now, in drills involving contact, he is a neutral player. He participates in others, like everyone else, plus he works additionally with coach Karol Baran, who is working on his physical return. Because we know that the operation prevented him from doing certain things, and he also needs to make up for lost time in that regard.

Eric Lira Fernandez's role in the team

I must admit, I really wanted Eric to join us. He was number 1 on my list as someone who could help us with our game model, but most importantly, he would focus on the individual development of players. That will be his main task. He is someone with such broad knowledge and experience that he will be able to help us in many different aspects of the game. I am very happy that he is with us, that he joined, that it finally happened, because it took quite a long time. I am counting on him to truly raise the individual level of the players. Of course, we do this together, but this is his main area when it comes to organizing and working on individual development.

We had contact with Eric. He is a very positive person who has great relationships with everyone he works with. That was also very important to me. I knew him in that regard and I believe it is a very important element that he is someone who does everything for the team. Individual ambitions are always secondary for him. So, this human element and functioning within the team, within the coaching staff, was something that was very important to me. And I knew he was very well prepared professionally, because we worked together as assistants to coach Rude.

I had thought about this solution earlier, but when I found out that coach Rude had left Denmark, he stayed there, and I was in contact with him. I knew that the situation there was also uncertain, whether Eric would want to stay or not. Once I knew he wouldn't be staying, such a proposal emerged. There was some time for negotiations, but ultimately we managed to reach an agreement, and as I say, I am very happy that he is with us.

Patryk Małecki's return to Wisła and strengthening of the reserves

I remember Patryk when he was a younger player. He was certainly a headstrong footballer. However, his characteristic was that he was a guy who always worked hard. There was never a problem with that. He was strongly focused on work. He is primarily a more experienced player and knows his role now in the second team. I think he is able to help this second team develop, in such a positive way, motivating them to work. I think he has a character that, in a focused way, can be used to the benefit of these young lads.