Mariusz Jop after #TYCWIS: We presented quality

Mariusz Jop's men defeated their rivals from Tychy on Friday evening, adding a crucial three points to their tally and strengthening their position in the play-offs. The White Star coach assessed the match at the post-match press conference.

"Congratulations to my team – today we played a very difficult match against a team that has been a real sensation this spring. The hosts started the match brilliantly, causing us a lot of problems. The break caused by the flares gave us a moment of respite and a chance to adjust our defense, as we didn't start well," the coach began. "It was a match in which we showed tremendous character, put in a lot of hard work, but also demonstrated quality – we were able to convert opportunities into goals. I would also like to congratulate the opponents on a very good performance. As I mentioned earlier in the press conference – Coach Skowronek is doing a really solid job here, and I wish him the best results," he commented.

Wisła Kraków's first half was definitely not one of their best. At times, Wisła allowed the hosts too much, while Tychy managed to seriously threaten the White Star's goal several times. Was giving the initiative to their opponents part of the plan? "I think the hosts have a real treasure in the form of a goalkeeper who is excellent at building up the attack," he replied. "In their formation, when we tried to press higher, we had significant difficulties. It simply wasn't working, so we decided to position ourselves a bit lower and patiently wait for the right moment. Yes, it was a deliberate decision. In the second half, we also didn't get very high up the pitch, deliberately – to limit the advantage that the goalkeeper's play gives them in the play," he said.

During the post-match press conference, Mariusz Jop was asked about Kacper Duda, who put in a strong performance in Friday's match despite being repeatedly attacked by GKS players. Journalists inquired about his health after the match. "Not only Kacper, but also Mikulec and several other players were hit hard on the pitch," the coach began. "GKS is a team known for its tough play; they're very strong in duels and physical contact. The guys got really banged up a few times, but that's normal in matches like this. Nobody gave in, everyone got up and kept playing, even though they were bruised. These matches are always physically demanding," Jop added.

Wisła scored all their goals in Friday's match from set pieces. Coach Mariusz Jop responded to this with obvious satisfaction. "Yes, I remember there was criticism that despite frequent set pieces, we couldn't convert them into goals," he said. "But if we look at the last ten matches, we've scored more goals from set pieces than from free-kicks. I don't think there's anything to complain about. I'm glad that this element of the game is being systematically improved and is starting to yield tangible results."

Friday's victory against Tyszany strengthened the White Star's position in the table, thus maintaining their place in the playoffs. What will you focus on during the upcoming training sessions? "For now, we'll focus on rest," he replied. "We'll devote the next two days to recovery, and then we'll begin preparations for our next match, which is a home match against Stal Stalowa Wola. Right now, we're only thinking about that match," the coach emphasized.

The season is drawing to a close and entering the decision-making phase. With key matches approaching and players potentially fatigued, a question was raised about possible squad management – ​​both in terms of physical conditioning and the threat of penalties. "We will manage it," Mariusz Jop replied briefly and to the point. "We have to consider both fatigue and possible suspensions. Rodado and Duda are currently at risk, having received three yellow cards each," added the Wisła coach.

When asked about his plans for the playoffs, a question arose about his ability to "push through" difficult matches. How did the White Star coach respond? "I think this match wasn't the only one that demonstrated that," he replied. "This spring round, we had many matches in which the players proved they have tremendous inner strength, that they don't give up, that they can fight, and that no one backs down in physical clashes. We know this league is demanding, and to think about winning points, we have to match our opponents in determination and intensity. Only then can we fully demonstrate our footballing quality, which we certainly don't lack as a team." – emphasized Mariusz Jop.

During the post-match press conference, the issue of second-ball reception, which Wisła clearly struggled with in the first half, was also raised. They also asked about Carbó's substitution and its impact on midfield play. "Yes, I agree, in the first half we struggled with second-ball reception, which resulted in the home team having more possession," he admitted. "Marek's substitution was well-thought-out. He performed very well in training all week, and our coaching staff seriously considered him starting. He's a player who, before his injury, was one of the key figures in our midfield. Today, after coming on, he showed he's getting back into form. I'm happy about that because we now have four well-rounded midfielders, which, at the end of the season – with so many difficult matches – is giving me a positive headache when it comes to lineup selection," he laughed.

Finally, a question was asked about Kamil Broda and his potential participation in future matches. Coach Jop, however, didn't want to reveal too much. "For now, we're happy with the victory," he said. "Kamil performed very well; he was a reliable point for the team today and certainly contributed to this result. As for the personnel and decisions regarding the squad for the upcoming matches, we'll come back to that later," concluded Wisła coach Mariusz Jop.