Mariusz Jop before the #JAGWIS Super Cup

The 2024 Polish Super Cup clash is getting closer! Before the team's departure for Warsaw, Wisła's coach met with representatives of the press at a pre-match press conference.

The first question asked during the press conference was about the health of White Star striker Angel Rodado. "Angel is undergoing rehabilitation. We're currently trying to treat it non-operatively. It's a similar case to the previous one, because it's even the same shoulder. We'll see how this rehabilitation goes. Will it be possible to restore him to full health this way?" he replied.

Which scenario is most realistic? Rapid rehabilitation or surgery? “I think both scenarios are likely,” he added.

Will you decide to rotate the squad or stick with a permanent lineup? "Looking at the roster, you could make as many as ten changes to the lineup. Theoretically, yes, but we know there won't be any major changes. We're treating this match like a league match. We're taking it very seriously. It's a prestigious match, a trophy match, so there's no way we could take it the wrong way. And as for the personnel, I certainly wouldn't want to make it easier for the opponent. The preparations were certainly the same as for any other league match. We're focusing solely on this match right now; we're not thinking about what's next. We'll do everything in our power to put in a good performance and fight for victory," he said.

It's no secret that the favorites to win the Super Cup are the Polish champions, Jagiellonia Białystok. How does this affect the team? "Definitely, dealing with pressure like that, playing as favorites against teams that defend low and wait for counterattacks, is difficult. Not only for Wisła, but also for other teams that often encounter this. Here, the ball is in Jagiellonia's court. Jagiellonia is certainly under more pressure; they are the favorites. They are the Polish champions. They are the team that continues to represent us in European competition. We will approach this match as a team that theoretically has no obligation, and can only gain from this match," he replied.

Jagiellonia has a very busy schedule. The Super Cup is on Wednesday, a league match this weekend, and a Conference League match next week on Thursday. Could this mean changes to their starting lineup? "I don't think there will be any major changes. Besides, watching Jagiellonia, you can see that the coach rotates the squad there. So I don't think there will be any more rotation than usual between league matches and European cup matches," he concluded.

The question remains, who is Angela Rodado? "There are several possibilities, because one of the young players could play there, and I'm thinking about Kuziemka and Baniowski. Kacper Duda could play in the number 10 position. Jesus Alfaro could also play there. So there are several possibilities. We're thinking about these solutions, we've been training for various scenarios. We'll try to choose the solution that's best for the team at the moment," he assessed the situation.

The White Star's most effective striker is the well-known Afimico Pululu. Do you have a plan to stop him? "These are not the times to delegate a player to guard one outstanding player in the opposing team. Besides, I think there are many good players there besides Pululu. Take Jesus Imaz, for example, who is a player like that, if not a top-ten player in the top flight, then certainly in the top three. There are many good players there, and collective, team play, mutual support, and protection are the elements that will help you deal with any opposing player. We can't think of anything great here. Of course, Pululu is a player with many strengths. He's physically strong. He's a goal-kicker, hard to bring down. He has good, short ball control. He's a player who has certainly proven at European and top-flight levels that he's a very dangerous and effective striker. However, he also has his weaknesses when it comes to play, and we'll try to exploit them."

Marko Poletanović and Marc Carbó returned to the pitch after the break on Friday. Is there competition in that position, or will they play together? "Of course, it's a possibility. We can imagine a Carbo-Poletanović-Duda lineup. In such a triangle, we know that Kacper would play as a number ten in such a situation. There are various scenarios, possibilities, variants. We can create them with three or even four players, because we also have James Igbekeme, who is in good form this round. Of course, we will keep an eye on it. We now have a lot of matches close together. We will definitely try to use these players depending on their form," he continued.

Mariusz Jop returns to the National Stadium, but this time as head coach of the White Star. So, does the coach consider this match the most important of his career? "No, it won't be the most important match of my career. It will be another important match," he replied confidently.

The White Star has repeatedly shown that it enjoys playing effectively and impressively in big matches. Will it be the same this time? "The team should treat this match like any other. However, there's something that comes naturally: when it's a match at a large stadium with stakes, prestige, and a trophy, the coaching staff needs to do a little less work to motivate the players. I think that's natural."

Wisła doesn't usually play with a low defense in league matches, but are you planning on that scenario against Jagiellonia? "There are phases of matches where we have to drop to a low defense. In league matches as well, although it's indeed rare. We'll try to minimize such phases as possible. In the match against Jagiellonia as well." - he said.

The next match showed that Wisła is taking a lot of shots on goal, but many of them aren't hitting the target. Do you analyze this in training? James Igbekeme only has a 15% accuracy rate on target – do you work on this with him? "I can confirm that we're working on this. Certain players have their strengths and weaknesses. There are strengths we're working on, but there are also weaknesses they need to work on. James, in particular, is a player who works on finishing from that sixteen-meter mark, because we also see that he can often find himself in that position. If we attack with a large number of players, and the opponent defends low, the ball often drops there. We see this, but the only thing we can do is repeat this scenario in training, the shot from sixteen or eighteen meters. However, this is something James needs to work on."

You traveled to the Polish Cup final with a larger squad. Were injured players traveling with you, or were they those who didn't make the matchday squad? Will it be the same this time? "We're traveling with a larger group, but some players will travel to the match itself to be with us at the National Stadium. Those who would be better off training with the second team will return, train with the reserves, and play in Saturday's match. We're traveling with a slightly larger group than usual. Angel Rodado is also traveling with us," he said.

You're returning to PGE Narodowy, so are the emotions from May returning too? "It was so long ago that it doesn't matter, but perhaps for some of the players who had the pleasure of playing in that final, the memories will be very positive, because the match ended in our favor. But for me personally, it doesn't matter."

Due to the absence of Spaniard Angel Rodado, are there any changes planned in the squad? Perhaps one of the reserve players will get a chance to showcase his skills? "We already did this last round. For example, the aforementioned Duarte, who played number nine against Polonia and performed quite decently. Angel is more of a number ten in our style of play, and we have more options for that position. In case we need to replace Zwoliński, we have options we've practiced before in training or in the match against Banik. However, these aren't natural positions for these players. The player who could replace him is Duarte. The others have a slightly different profile."

Łukasz Zwoliński's losing streak continues. Despite numerous shots and good chances, the striker is still waiting for his first goal of the spring. How is he handling this situation? "The only thing you can do is stay calm and be patient. The most important thing is that he creates scoring opportunities. He has at least one very good chance in almost every match, and I know it's only a matter of time before he scores. Of course, I'd like it to happen as soon as possible. Łukasz would also like it to happen as soon as possible. I believe it will happen, and when it does, the series will go in the opposite direction," he concluded.

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