Mariusz Jop before #BBTWIS: We have very good players in the team

Friday, April 25th, promises to be an exciting day! At precisely 8:30 PM, the White Star players will take to the pitch in Nieciecza to face Termalica in the 30th round of the Betclic 1 League. Coach Mariusz Jop met with the press before kick-off.

Bartosz Talar and Patryk Gogół are ruled out of Friday's match due to medical reasons. James Igbekeme is suspended due to yellow cards, while Wiktor Biedrzycki will not play in the match in Nieciecza due to contact restrictions.

The White Star faces a match against a team at the top of the table. Has anything changed in your approach to this match? "Not much has changed, because we prepare for each match in a similar way, depending on how much time we have between them. Now we've had enough time to go over certain attacking and defensive scenarios. We've also covered set pieces, which is what we can expect. Of course, we always keep in mind that our opponents might make some subtle adjustments to their game." - he began.

The opponent's problems in defense - did you analyze this during the briefings? "We talked about it. Bruk-Bet is indeed struggling defensively this round. They're allowing quite a few chances and conceding quite a few goals. However, they also have their strengths, of course. It's no coincidence that they have a lot of points and are high in the table. They have individual talents within the team, so they're definitely a worthy opponent, a tough opponent, and this match will be difficult for both teams." - he replied.

Kamil Zapolnik is a well-known figure in the Nieciecza squad. How can he be stopped? "Kamil is one of the best strikers in the first division. He's effective, protects the ball well, plays well in the air, and is certainly a dangerous opponent. However, we also have good players in the team, good defenders, and I think that, firstly, individual duels and, above all, collective play will help us counter these strengths," he said.

You were in the stands when the Nieciecza team hosted Polonia Warszawa. Did you manage to find the answer to defeat Termalica and do it in a similar style to Polonia Warszawa back then? "I was more interested in Bruk-Bet than Polonia. How they functioned, how they built their plays, how they defended, and how many players they had. That interested me more. The same was true for their set pieces. I don't look to Polonia for inspiration."

Wisła has the most important matches ahead of them, because they will decide who advances. "As always, we're focusing on the next match and ourselves. The results of other matches are only valuable if we pick up points. I'm not looking too far ahead, though. I'm not trying to look at the bigger picture in terms of the next three matches, because the next match is always the most important for us, and that's the case this time, too. Then we'll prepare for the next match, and the one after that. Of course, right now we have teams at the top of the table, but this league has shown many times that this is arbitrary. Of course, Bruk-Bet Termalica has its value, as do the other teams. However, we've shown in many matches that, regardless of whether we play at home or away, we can beat anyone in this league. And we're going into this match with that mindset." - he noted.

Your old point total against Bruk-Bet was nine. What does the coach think – is that a lot or a little? “Considering there are five games left, that's a lot.” - he replied.

In the fall, you defeated the Elephants thanks to two goals from Łukasz Zwoliński. Are you expecting a similar match to that one? "I wish it were similar" - he emphasized firmly.

In the match against Pogoń Siedlce, you once again scored from a set piece. Is that what you work on most often in training? "It's a process. I said the only way to improve this element is to practice it. One player has a better foot. Another player who aspires to be a good or very good set-piece taker has to practice it. The one who takes them well has to practice them too. It's something that's repeated regularly, and that's the result of that work."

What about preparing for your opponent's game? "Bruk-Bet is a team that is quite consistent in its actions when it comes to attacking and defending structure. There are slight differences there. I think we are also consistent. We don't make any major changes to our tactics. Of course, there are some adjustments that are needed to make things easier for the players. Of course, we take the opponent into account, but – I've said this many times – we mainly focus on how we fulfill our tasks. I believe this is the path we should follow as a team." - he said.

Łukasz Zwoliński will start the next match on the bench. Is this decision intended to help the player, or is there another factor that determines this? "It's definitely supposed to help in part. I think it's a little easier coming off the bench into a slightly tired team, when the defense always loosens up a bit after a while and there's a little more space. Being fresh, coming on to the pitch is a little easier. That's one element. The other is the competition within the team. There are others who are waiting for their moment, and I think it's about taking advantage of players' best moments and giving them as many minutes as possible, so that those who are currently in optimal form can play. Of course, I'm very much counting on Łukasz and waiting for him to score, and it's only a matter of time. I hope it's soon, in the next match." - concluded coach Mariusz Jop.