Biedrzycki: Our fans are discriminated against

Wiktor Biedrzycki took his place in central defense alongside Igor Łasicki during the #PGSWIS match. Despite conceding a goal against the newly promoted team, the Kraków team refused to give up and confidently defeated their opponents 3-1.

"It's true that the match didn't go our way initially, but despite everything, we dictated the conditions from the first minute. Even after conceding that goal, we continued to strive for the goal. We attacked, closed down Pogoń Siedlce well defensively, and they couldn't even launch much of a counterattack. I think that's been the case for us for a while now, although of course, it doesn't always result in a win. The matches against Warta, Kotwica, and even Odra were confirmation that in this league, if you don't score the first goal quickly, it can be tough. Fortunately, in Siedlce, we quickly recovered from conceding and won the match. For us, it's best to score first; that's when these teams have to open up. We saw in the second half, when we took the lead, how the match unfolded," the defender described the match.

Pogoń didn't have many offensive options. Their main tool was supposed to be long passes to Podliński. "That's what they focused on in this match. Long passes to Podliński, who has very good physical condition. However, I think we managed it. There wasn't much danger from it. Set pieces were also supposed to be their weapon, and that's what earned them a penalty, because it was awarded after a free kick. Most teams will adopt this style in matches against us. We have to be focused in these matches, try to dictate our terms, and if we approach it that way, I think few in this league will be able to threaten us," he analyzed.

Two wins in a row can boost the confidence of a team that needs both a run and wins. "A win always builds confidence. This was the same after the match against Odra. And as for Warta, we played very well in the first half, then a random penalty, a goal, and a real nervousness set in, which meant we didn't repeat the same second half. I think we need to go in the same direction as we did now, like we did against Pogoń and Odra. We need to dominate, shut down the opponent, score goals, and be effective," he added.

Instead of a national team break, Wisła will travel to Tarnobrzeg to face Siarka in the round of 16. Later in the league, they will face teams from the top of the table, including Bruk-Bet Termalica Nieciecza. "These will definitely be different matches, but I think that in our case, paradoxically, they may be easier for us. Because they will be more open matches, and we have our own quality. I think the outcome of these matches will be more reminiscent of the matches against Ruch and Arka. We didn't take the lead against Arka, but we looked good. I expect matches like these against the top teams in the first league," he said.

The Kraków team realizes that no opponent can be underestimated, and advancing against Siarka is simply a must: "God forbid! You can never underestimate anyone in the Polish Cup, because every year it's full of surprises. I've been eliminated twice before by theoretically much lower-ranked opponents, so I know what it's like. These teams have nothing to lose. The guys leave all their ambition on the pitch. I'm sure that the visit of such a distinguished club as Wisła will be a huge event for Tarnobrzeg. I believe we have to approach them with even greater concentration than league matches. There are no leniencies. We have to play to our full potential and take this match very, very seriously."

Before the first whistle in Siedlce, Wisła players ran to the empty away section in a gesture of solidarity with the absent fans. "We decided before the match that we would make such a gesture. Our fans have not been allowed into the stadiums for a long time when we play away. Let's call a spade a spade - they are simply discriminated against! There is no reason why our fans cannot support us away. This is a collusion between the clubs to close the away sections when we play against them. It's high time the relevant authorities addressed this problem, because it is very unfair to us. We are being deprived of the support that other clubs can count on in away matches. Of course, there was a group of our fans in Siedlce in other sections, and we are very grateful to them for making the effort to support us despite all these difficulties, but it was not an organized group. And honestly, such situations, when they sit among the home team, could lead to an even greater danger for the match, for them, than if they had normally arrived and sat in the away section," he explained, adding: "This needs to be talked about loudly." speak up, don't avoid the topic, because it simply has to end, and our fans deserve to be able to cheer us on in away matches."