Jop: We have a goal set for the whole season

Wisła will kick off their weekend with Friday's #ARKWIS match. Coach Mariusz Jop met with journalists before the 22nd round match.

Injured: Igor Łasicki, Marc Carbó, Joseph Colley, Patryk Gogół, Enis Fazlagić and Bartosz Talar.

The White Star team has already forgotten about the match in Chorzów and is focusing on the next match. "Of course, after such a victory in Chorzów, there was euphoria, and it was a well-deserved euphoria, because this match brought a lot of positive emotions for the entire team, but also for the fans. We've already separated ourselves from the match against Ruch, put it behind us, and taken what was good from it. I think the focus is now on the next match, because it's the most important for us," the coach began. "There was joy, but no party, because for now, there's no reason to party. We have a goal for the entire season, not just individual matches, and that's how we approach it. We try to take what's positive, so we can be stronger in the next match. And that's the case here too. There's no room for any satisfaction, because, as I said, we have to be calm after matches when we played poorly, like in the match against Znicz. We also have to keep a certain distance from what's being said in the community, how it's perceived, because these are often extreme opinions. However, it has to be similar after the match against Ruch, which we won, but we also can't get carried away by euphoria, because we need to maintain an emotional balance and sometimes tone down the mood a bit, but also not give in to too much criticism, which is bad for the players' confidence," he added.

When asked what the coaching staff needs to do to ensure the team takes to the pitch with the same attitude they had in Chorzów every week, he replied: "We're doing everything we can to ensure it's at least similar. It's about efficiency, speed, defensive aggression, and effective set pieces. We work on this regularly every week, but this is football, and sometimes matches unfold differently. The scenarios vary, the opposition plays differently, and there are never guarantees. However, I can say that there's very good and positive energy in the team, there's confidence in our abilities, and even though we're going to a very good team that's higher in the table and the favorites, and they're playing at home, we're going there to fight for three points."

Alan Uryga returns from the sidelines after the suspension. Does this mean the coach has a "positive" problem with the center-back pairing for Arka? "I already know the answer to that question, and it's a positive headache. It's not just about that position, though, because as I said earlier, we have strong competition in many positions, and that's something that helps this team develop," he continued.

The Gdynia team has a new coach. Has coach Mariusz Jop noticed any changes in Arka's play under Dawid Szwarga? "These are quite significant changes. A different way of playing, both on set pieces and in attacking and defending. There are a lot of changes. Of course, we have the material. Arka played two league matches. They also played friendlies during the preseason, so we're prepared for various scenarios," he said.

Szymon Sobczak, who will be a force to be reckoned with in the Yellow-Blues' attack, will be a key player to watch out for. How can we effectively shut him out of the game? "We also know him well. We know what he's looking for, what he does, what he dislikes, so there's probably some benefit for both sides, because 'Sopel' knows how we play, what we're looking for. We know how he moves." The White Star will once again play without the support of its fans away from home. Does the team intend to show solidarity with its fans again? "We are always there for the fans, and it's always difficult for the team when they can't come in and support us in a normal way. I think we will try to highlight this situation in every way possible and show that this is not okay."

Which positive thing from the #RCHWIS match would Mariusz Jop like to translate into his weekly meetings? "Effectiveness! And if that's not enough, I'd say quick action with and without the ball," he replied without hesitation.