Conference before #RAPWIS

Wednesday was a day of media activity, in which Wisła Kraków also participated. Coach Kazimierz Moskal and Rafał Mikulec participated in a press conference just before the official training session.

Kazimierz Moskal - coach of Wisła Kraków

"It's definitely easier to adjust. The match is at 8:30 p.m., so the atmosphere will be really good, even though the temperature feels high today, but when the spotlights come on at 8:30 p.m., everything feels completely different," the coach began.

Durante and Kiss will not be able to play in Thursday's match, as Kazimierz Moskal commented: "Unfortunately not. They flew with us because we're going straight to Warsaw for Sunday's match against Pruszków, and they can be considered there."

There was also a question about the competition in midfield and on the wing of midfield. What does the hierarchy currently look like? "For me, there's always some kind of search. We're at the beginning of building this team. We have competition in midfield. We have several players who can play in those positions. In the league, we can't use Marc Carbó in the first two matches, but he can play in the cups, and he's definitely a player who brings us a lot of quality. And who he plays against in the next match depends on how we want to play. We're selecting players with the next opponent in mind," he noted. "As for the wing, now that we've signed Duarte and Kiss, the competition will be greater and our opportunities in those positions will be greater. For now, we have what we have, and we have to look for the best solutions for the team," he added.

The result of the match in Kraków gives Rapid a better starting position. Do Wisła have to attack immediately to make up for the deficit? "If we look back and analyze this match against Rapid at home, I think that if we had taken advantage of even one of the good chances we had, this match could have ended in at least a draw. Unfortunately, we lost 1-2, but it's a result that still gives us a chance to be in the game. I mean, the goal we scored here evens the score. I think that as long as it's 0-0, anything is possible. It's not a given that we have to attack hard from the first minutes and try to score a goal right away. In the event of a bigger defeat, we would have to make up for a bigger deficit, and as it is, the difference is only one goal. Only and as much, because we know that we came here to a very hot place, but as I said - I think that the tactics we choose, what we set out to do, are one thing, but there's also an old football saying that you play only as much as the opponent allows. We can assume that we will attack from the first minutes, but it could be completely different. Which doesn't change the fact that When it's 0-0 all the time, our situation isn't that bad," he analyzed. So what kind of matches should we expect? "I think it's similar to the one in Krakow, I'd like it to be like that – open, fast, with chances. That's also my philosophy. I'd like the matches my team plays to be attractive, to provide excitement, but of course, the primary goal is to win. That's what matters most," he continued.

"We're coming to a hot spot where they have a fantastic crowd, and he'll be their twelfth player. We have to be ready for that. We can't be afraid of the atmosphere being so heated in the stands," he said. White Star fans are also making the trip to Vienna in droves to support the team. Does the coach think Wisła's cup appearances have made them popular again? "I definitely do. I have to say I was very impressed with that first match, with the atmosphere we created in Krakow. When the stadium was full and the fans roared, you could really feel it firsthand. I'm glad that, despite various problems and restrictions, we're still hearing that many of our fans can be here tomorrow. That's definitely great and adds to the appeal of the whole event," he noted.

The Rapid coach spoke positively about the R22 team, noting the Krakow team's class. "It's certainly pleasing, but it's easy to say the other team is playing well when you're winning the match. We know we didn't play badly, and if we had capitalized on any of our chances, the result could have been different. We know where we could have played better. I also had good things to say about Rapid, because they really showed a lot of quality in the match against us. They confirmed what we expected and how we analyzed their play," he said.

On Monday, Angel Rodado signed a new contract with Wisła. Has the coach's heart been lifted? "Of course, I'm very happy, because I think everyone was anxiously awaiting news about Angel. Jokingly speaking, we used a trick... We gave Angel the captain's armband for the match against Polonia, and the next day he extended his contract," he replied.

After returning from Vienna, Wisła Kraków will face a league match in Pruszków. Will the recent red cards that have affected the team's starting eleven against Rapid? "Of course, I keep telling the players to look at who we're playing next and prepare for that match. However, as a coaching staff, we have to look a step or two ahead. Wiktor and Marc's cards definitely complicate matters for us when it comes to the league match. It's probably changed our approach to the lineup a bit, but I don't know if it will be the same in this upcoming match," he noted.

So what does the Krakow team's plan look like after the clash with Rapid? "After the match, we'll stay in Vienna. On Friday, we fly to Warsaw, where we'll train on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, we play in Pruszków, and then we'll return to Krakow by bus," concluded coach Kazimierz Moskal.

Rafał Mikulec - Wisła Kraków player

"At the moment, we really are rotating, playing matches every three or four days. I think I'm playing best with Olivier Sukiennicki at the moment. I think we understand each other well. If we can play like this for a long time, we can contribute a lot to this team," he began.

The clash with Rapid has a different significance than in the league. Is it the most important match in a player's career? "Whether it's the most important, it's hard to say. My life has truly changed in two months. I was at a different stage before. Now I'm playing in the cups. I can gain a lot of experience here. I'm very happy. I think it's one of the most important international matches for me," he added.

Does the time of day matter to a defender? "I don't mind the late hour. I think the best time to play is at 8:30 p.m. It's good not only for the players but also for the fans. I think matches should be played at that time. Especially for matches with such stakes," he noted.

A heated atmosphere is expected on Thursday. Will it excite the players, or perhaps the opposite? "Of course it does. That's why you play football, to play matches like this and certainly gain a lot of experience along the way. I'm glad we can play matches like this and I can't wait," he concluded.