Jop: We want to end this year well

The last match of 2024 is the #WISMIE competition, which will take place on December 12th at R22. Media representatives asked coach Mariusz Jop about key issues before the start of the match.

Joseph Colley, James Igbekeme, Bartosz Talar, and Enis Fazlagić will be sidelined for the match. Igor Łasicki is sidelined for a yellow card.

The first question concerned the White Star's poor form during the matches in Warsaw. "Before I talk about physicality, let's talk about these footballing elements. I think, above all, we lacked patience in building up in the last match. We were too keen to build and finish the moves in the midfield, where it was very crowded. We held onto the ball too long, giving the opponent time to rebuild their positions. We didn't make enough use of transition phases after winning the ball. These are elements that, when it comes to attacking, are very important. However, when it comes to physicality, if I may, we would like to return to this topic after the match, because I don't want to elaborate on it now," the coach began. "Regarding the group's behavior before the match, in the locker room, and during the warm-up, there were no signs that anything was wrong. However, in some situations during the match, it was clear that we were losing the physical battle. However, as I said, I don't want to answer that question here right now regarding the physical element. But, as I said earlier, I'd like to revisit that after the match against Miedź," he replied.


James Igbekeme has been plagued by health issues for the past week. What's the situation like now? "James is still undergoing evaluation. It's difficult for me to get into these medical issues because he's still undergoing evaluation," he said.

Journalists asked about the lineup changes. Is the coach considering any adjustments? "I look at it this way: Wisła Kraków lost the match. I will certainly never blame a single player, because we can always say that someone could have scored, someone could have scored, someone could have played better defensively, not conceded the ball. I always approach it this way: we as a team lost, and I, as a coach, lost the match too. Of course, we are considering the optimal lineup for this match. Besides Bartek, "Szocik" can also play in that position, "Miki" can play, so we have several options," he emphasized. "Obviously, I won't give the opposing coach a 'ready-made' lineup when talking about the lineup or tactics. I understand that this question is about Duarte, who performed well in the Polish Cup, and as I said after the match, he is an option for the number nine position; he was also tested as a number ten." "He came in as a left winger, playing inside, a number ten. In that position, I don't think he had enough quality to earn a starting spot, but in the number nine position, he looks very interesting. He's mobile, can show off his unconventional moves in the penalty area, and that's how he scored his first goal in the Polish Cup, the second one also a beauty. And as I said, he's an option for us as a number nine, and whether that's a formation with Zwolak, Rodado, or off the bench, I can't say right now," he continued.

Where does the coach see the Legnica team's weaknesses and strengths? "They're definitely a strong team. They have a lot of individual quality. Physically, they're also tailored to this league, with a very tall striker and tall center-backs. They've recently been playing a 5-4-1 system in defense. They have three tall center-backs, plus Drygas, who's a midfielder but also good in the air. They're definitely a very dangerous team on set pieces in attack. They have quick wings, and as I said, in terms of their style of play, they used to play 4-4-2, but now they've changed their attacking style to 3-4-3, and defensively to 5-4-1. We can expect various variations. They can defend low in a 5-4-1. They can later change their formation and build on three defenders, or two defenders. However, these are formations we've already worked on as a team. We know how we'll want to defend and attack against this type of formation, whether in a 5-4-1 or a 4-4-2. We've practiced this in previous matches, so it shouldn't be a problem for us," he analyzed.

Is the coach considering benching Angel Rodado, who undoubtedly has a lot of minutes on his feet? "My imagination goes that far, but I don't know if we'll take advantage of that opportunity."

Mariusz Kutwa was recently left out of the squad. What was the reason for this? "The team is being monitored for stress. In addition to what the GPS shows us, we're also doing CPK tests. Mariusz also played several games in a row, and was the only center-back to play the full match against ŁKS, and then a cup match on Tuesday – 120 minutes. He's a young man who recovers quickly, but it's not just physical fatigue, but also nervous system fatigue. Remember that a match requires a lot of stimulation, a lot of emotions. After the match, it subsides and you have to get back on your feet. With that in mind, Mariusz had to rest in the last match," he said.

The topic of crosses and their quality also piqued journalists' interest. What does the coaching staff need to do to improve this aspect? "We'd have to look at individual situations, because sometimes the positioning in the penalty area is poor. We lack players in the positions we want, and sometimes the quality of the crosses is poor, even though the players' positions are very good. I'd say the ideal situation is when we can have two or three players at the far post with one opponent, or at the near post, or in the center, to create an advantage. However, the player delivering the cross sees it but either doesn't make the pass, doesn't see it, or gets blocked, so there are various situations. Of course, I agree that when it comes to this aspect, it's something we need to improve and perfect. And it's also a lot of individual work for the players," he replied.

The season is drawing to a close. What transfers does the coach expect during the break? "I think we need reinforcements that will raise the team's level of football. I think if someone were to join us, it would be someone who wouldn't be a supplement to the squad, but someone who would be a key player. That's how I envision it. Unless we're talking about a young, promising player who will give us potential, but we know it will take time to show that potential. However, at this point, if we need someone, it's someone who can take on the burden of play in difficult moments and bring quality to the team," he added.

Piotr Starzyński and Mateusz Młyński are out of the squad. There's plenty of competition on the wings, so they asked about their options: "We have several similar players in some positions, and athletically, these two players had fewer opportunities to play in the first team. They tended to play in the reserves. After the season ends, after Thursday's meeting, we'll definitely discuss this with the director, about how to develop these players, because every player needs consistency to develop. They need games," he noted.

Mentality was another topic raised at the press conference. Does the coach see that the team is struggling with their mentality due to the accumulation of matches? "There's definitely fatigue, that's obvious. That's what I was talking about with Mariusz Kutwa: that in addition to the purely physical parameters of rest, work, and the strain the muscular system is under, there's also the nervous system, which is also getting tired. Several players are certainly feeling this strain, that's obvious. However, we have a very important match tomorrow, and each player needs to put in a lot of work to prepare as best as possible for this match, because we know it's a very important match for us, as every match is. We want to finish the year strong and we want to win," he continued.