Mariusz Jop before #WISZNI: We are the favorites in this match and we will want to confirm it on the pitch.

In the previous round, Wisła won a very convincing 7-0 victory over the team from Pruszków. What will it be like this time?

"Znicz is not the team we faced six months ago. It's a team that has significantly improved its defense. It's a team that's intense and dangerous in a fast attack. They're operating very efficiently in this transition phase. They have one outstanding player, for the first league. I'm talking about Majewski, so when looking at our closest opponent, we certainly shouldn't take into account the big win we had in the fall round. However, that doesn't change the fact that we're the leader. We're the favorites in this match, and we'll want to confirm that on the pitch," said coach Mariusz Jop with conviction.

Radosław Majewski runs about 13 km during the match.

"He has the predispositions. He's always run a lot. Often, these players have lower sprinting abilities. However, this overall volume, these distances for a central midfielder, are valuable because he's a very active player, but also unique. He's a player with very good technique and a very good set piece. It's no coincidence that he's Znicz's strength," the Wisła coach said of the Znicz player.

Set pieces can be an opponent's strong point. 

"We generally talk about this a lot when it comes to set pieces, to avoid unnecessary, stupid fouls in their own half. If a player has the opportunity to clear the ball into the field, simply into the pitch, they shouldn't do it for a corner kick or a throw-in, because that's a real threat. Some teams really look forward to this, especially when playing against us; they rely on set pieces. We want to avoid them, thus minimizing the risk of conceding a goal," he analyzed.

What can be improved after the last match against Wieczysta?

"I think overall the match against Wieczysta was very even. Wieczysta played very well. They showed their individual quality, but they also performed well defensively. I think we're still a little lacking that fluidity in our game. There are a lot of unforced turnovers, and we have that statistically, and we showed the players that there are still too many of them. Sometimes it's due to technical errors, and sometimes it's due to the pressure and intensity of the opponent's play. However, we know that this is something we want to improve, something we want to perfect," he concluded.

Since the match against Polonia Warszawa you have only achieved 2 victories.

"I think what matters is what happens at the end of the season. So far, we have an average of 2.18. The next team is probably 1.71 or 1.73, so the difference is big. The difference didn't come from nowhere. It came from the team's hard work and belief in what we're doing. Nothing has changed for us. We want to prepare every match as best we can, both as staff and players. I can say that the team worked brilliantly this week. There was a lot of competition for positions, a lot of concentration, and a lot of quality. I see that we're improving in terms of how we play and how fluid our moves are. I'm counting on us to perform well on Sunday, and I'd like us to start another winning streak," coach Jop argued.

 Kacper Duda suspended due to yellow cards.

"There's Erwin Omić, there's Julius Ertlthaler, who can play in midfield, so there are several options. I think it's also important for us that everyone can basically train at full speed. Each week of work like this for the players without any injuries, without problems that force them to miss training, will result in those automatic skills returning, that fluidity of play returning, and therefore, effectiveness," he explained.

"Regarding Marko Bozić, I think it's too early to include him in the starting 20. He's had a long break, though. He looks very optimistic, and he's moving well. Physically, he's also close to being at full strength. He's not complaining about the injured spot, so there's more optimism there than originally. Rafał Mikulec will be in the starting 20," added the White Star coach.

Will the lack of support from the stands in Wrocław have any impact on the team?

"Of course it matters. We want to play with the support of our fans. We value our fans greatly for the large numbers they come to the stadium, but they also often accompany us on away trips. I certainly think we're not treated equally. I think the Polish Football Association should deal with such matters and severely punish such situations. I think it would then be more transparent for everyone," replied coach Mariusz Jop.

"I'll add a bit more about the club's announcement, as we've obviously received an official decision from Śląsk Wrocław. We'll address that, I think later today. Please keep an eye on the website," spokesman Damian Urbaniec continued.

Matches against Znicz are very variable in terms of their course.

"Indeed, the previous matches were quite interesting, somewhat unconventional, you could say. We know that each match is a new story, and as I said earlier, we want to focus on what we did well, we want to return to that to be more effective, and we're focusing on our playing model. On what we've done so far, what brought us results. Znicz is definitely a difficult opponent, but everything always depends on us. How we perform is the most important thing," he argued.

How important is the preparation of the pitch in the context of the type of football preferred by Wisła Kraków?

"Of course, the pitch is very important. Our style of play is well-known. We're a team that wants to dominate, that wants to keep the ball for long periods of time, and the quality of the pitch certainly matters. The better it is, the better we can theoretically play," concluded coach Mariusz Jop.