Kutwa: I am getting more and more opportunities, which I am trying to make the most of

The Wisła Kraków Football Academy has nurtured numerous footballing talents over the years, and first-team player Mariusz Kutwa is certainly one of them. The 20-year-old midfielder has made numerous appearances for the White Star's youth teams, where he impressed with his talent and hard work. Currently, "Kutwia" is gaining even more trust within the team and the coaching staff led by coach Mariusz Jop, resulting in an increasing number of minutes played in league matches. The young player himself and coach Adrian Filipek spoke about the young player's history at the club on Reymonta Street and his journey to the top flight.

Mariusz Kutwa joined the Wisła Kraków Football Academy from partner club MUKS Halny Kamienica in 2017. Initially, he played for the U-14 team, and had already been on the radar of Wisła Kraków's coaches. The then 13-year-old demonstrated his skills during a tournament in Zakopane, which ended with an unusual injury. According to the coordinating coach, Michał Jania, who was in charge of the player at the time, while attempting to pass "Kutwa," he hit a sprinkler protruding from the pitch. However, this didn't change the decision to transfer him to the Wisła Kraków Football Academy. Kutwa also initially attended Wisła's boarding school and sports classes.

As the player himself recalls, his first moments at Reymonta were not easy, but he quickly acclimatized to the club.

"The beginnings weren't exactly the easiest. This was certainly due to the fact that at the age of 13 I left my family home and came to Krakow to pursue my dreams. I remember that the first month was the hardest for me, but then it got better and better. In fact, after just two or three months, I felt at home in Wisła," said Mariusz Kutwa.

The 20-year-old midfielder quickly broke into the senior ranks, playing in the U-15 Central Junior League. He was a key player in the team during the 2018/2019 season, and also received his first opportunities with the U-17 team, playing over 400 minutes in the U-17 Central Junior League. By the winter, he had joined the junior and U-17 teams on a permanent basis, and at the end of the 2018/2019 season, he signed his first professional contract with the White Star.

Later, the midfielder came under the wing of coach Adrian Filipek, and in the 2020/2021 season he could enjoy another Polish vice-championship - this time won with the U-19 team.

"From the very beginning, Mariusz stood out for his physicality, surpassing his peers in this respect. It must be admitted that he developed very evenly, in every respect. Moreover, he has always been characterized by a very good upbringing, personal culture, and a positive attitude to life. He was always a positive spirit in the locker room, never causing the slightest problem," recalls coach Adrian Filipek, who also notes the 20-year-old's versatility.

Kutwa combined midfield play with central defense, thus offering coaches a wide range of options.

"Usually, the best player plays in midfield. Mariusz came to us as a midfielder, but his physical attributes also made him suitable for the center-back position. He's very durable and has the physique of an athlete. He can play in both a two-man and a three-man defense. However, it's worth emphasizing that Mariusz has an attacking spirit and has always been drawn forward. I think that constantly playing defensively, in contact, and disrupting opponents wasn't in his nature. We tried to instill in him the need to use his strengths to fight back," explains Adrian Filipek.

And for a long time Kutwa competed in a age group two years older (born in 2002), where he coped without any complexes.

"The group wasn't just based on the 2002 generation. He competed for a spot in midfield with Piotr Ćwik and Wiktor Szywacz. I won't say he played a leading role, but he was an important player in the team hierarchy (he played 1,268 minutes – editor's note). We knew he was the stuff of good talent, but he still had a lot of work ahead of him. He had very good players around him to compete with. Of course, he had huge ambitions to be in the starting lineup and often didn't understand our decisions. However, we showed him the elements he needed to work on. We also devoted a lot of time to the mental aspect," Filipek says.

During his long tenure at the Kraków club, the player had the opportunity to work under the guidance of several renowned coaches. How does he recall that time?

"Every coach I've had the pleasure of working with has taught me something different. Thanks to this, I've been able to learn new things, and I still use them to this day. I'm convinced that all of these elements helped me develop as a footballer, and now I continue to draw on them, becoming an even better player," the player adds.

In the 2023/2024 season, Kutwa was a key player for Wisła Kraków's newly formed second team, particularly in the fall round. He started all 18 league matches and only came off early in two. After successful performances in the fourth division, he was given the opportunity to make his debut for the White Star's first team. This came on February 18, 2024, in a 2-1 league victory over Stal Rzeszów. The 20-year-old has made 21 appearances so far, including 13 in the first league, two in the Polish Cup, and six in European competitions.

"I'm very happy with every minute I play, because I've worked hard for it for many years. I'm getting more and more opportunities, which I try to make the most of and help the team achieve their goal of winning and ultimately promotion to the Ekstraklasa," concluded Wiślak.

After the last league match against Wisła Płock, where he played from the start, his contract was automatically extended until June 30, 2027, after meeting formal requirements and playing the required number of minutes. This means that the adventure that began in 2017 could last over 10 years. Good luck, "Kutwi"!