Mikhailov: We are well prepared and we want to show our best side

Wisła Kraków's reserves have completed an intensive preparation period for the spring round of the Betclic III League. Under coach Aleksandr Mikhailov's leadership, the team focused on improving their defensive organization and transitional phases, played a number of valuable friendlies, and introduced new players, including promising players from the U-19 team. How does the coach assess this period? What has changed within the team since the fall round, and what are the goals for the upcoming matches? The White Star coach discussed all of this in an interview.

Preparations for the spring round have just concluded, and the second half of the season is upon us. How would you assess the entire preparation period? Did you achieve all your goals?

"Yes, we accomplished everything we planned for the pre-season. Compared to summer preparations, this time we focused more on the defensive phase and transitions between formations, whereas in the summer we placed more emphasis on attack. I'm pleased with how this period went – ​​we played valuable friendlies against demanding opponents, which was a valuable experience for us."

Have the players and the team as a whole made significant progress since the very beginning of preparations? There have also been significant changes in the reserve ranks. How has this affected the team?

"We've definitely made progress and are better prepared than we were two months ago. There have been some changes to our squad – new players have joined, as well as several younger players from the U-19 team. These weren't quantitative transfers, but qualitative ones, as we wanted to raise the level of competition and also supplement the squad with valuable players. I'm also pleased with the return of absentees who struggled with injuries in the fall season, such as Michał Zimon, Sławomir Chmiel, Kamil Kaczówka, and Mateusz Stanek. This is a significant boost for the team."

You began your friendly series with a painful football lesson from Wieczysta Kraków. What conclusions did you draw from that match? Did this defeat impact the team's morale?

"We must remember that we only had fourteen players available for this match, which made it much more difficult to compete against such a strong opponent. We played the first half hour at a good level, at times even better than our opponent, but later we lacked the energy to maintain the intensity. The result was painful for us, but after the match ended, we conducted an analysis, focusing more on the mental aspect than tactics. What are the conclusions? We are a young team, and regardless of the opponent's rank, we must always show our character and consistently implement our goals."

In subsequent sparring matches you performed much better.

"Our form in the friendlies was inconsistent – ​​good matches were followed by weaker ones. Only the match against Kalwarianka left us with a big disappointment, because regardless of the presence of trial players or rotation in the squad, we should have won that match. However, the end of the pre-season was very solid, as we won against MFK Karvina and Sparta Kazimierza Wielka, keeping a clean sheet. In the match against Wisłoka, despite the draw, we showed good organization against a strong league opponent, and I must admit that this is the match I'm most satisfied with."

Do you consider the match against Wisłoka the most valuable in terms of preparations for the league?

"I wouldn't want to single out a single important match. We also played against LKS Goczałkowice-Zdrój, which is a solid team, and that match was also important for us in terms of the lessons we learned. All the other friendlies gave us a lot of material and were an important test before the league, so each of them, both individually and collectively, proved helpful in our work."

Now let's address the squad's condition. Are you ready for the league in that regard?

"Yes, I'm happy with the squad we have. We have at least two players in every position, but keeping them fully fit will be crucial. We're still waiting for the returns of Filip Gryglak, Patryk Moskiewicz, and Jakub Madej. It's also important to us that we give young players a chance. Age doesn't matter, but above all, the right training environment, quality, and winning the competition for a place in the squad."

During preparations, three players from outside the club joined the team. How do you assess the performance of Igor Woś, Munyaradzi Mwakanyi, and Bartłomiej Fojt?

"Igor Woś and "Munya" have been with us for a relatively short time, which is why the former has only played in one and the latter in two friendlies. However, during the trials, they showed that they fully deserve a place in the team. Bartek Fojt has been with us longer, and although he has only made one appearance, he has shown good form in training. During preparations, we also tested other players, but ultimately decided not to sign them. I believe that the new players who have joined us will add value to the team and will be a great support for us in the fight for victories during the upcoming round."

As mentioned, in addition to the transfers, players from the U-19 squad have also joined the team. What role will these players play in the upcoming season?

"First of all, I must say that the young players are well prepared, which is a credit to the U-19 staff, and I would also like to thank the coaches for that. Regarding the lineup and their role in this team, everything will depend on how they perform in a given micro-cycle. Of course, giving young players a chance is very important to us, but if they don't get minutes in a given match, they will move up to the U-19s and play in the Central Junior League. This is undoubtedly a much better solution than "catching" minutes during compensatory training. In summary, the player who wins the competition in a given position will get the chance to play for us. Age is of secondary importance here."

The first match of the second round awaits you, with your opening game against Świdniczanka Świdnik. We remember that the autumn match was very demanding for the team and ended in a draw. How are you approaching this match? Are you concerned about your opponent's form?

"We're approaching this match like any other – analyzing our opponent, working on our training, and perfecting our game model. The match against Świdniczanka in the fall round ended in a draw and wasn't entirely successful for us, but we can't dwell on that. Now we're starting the return round, and new challenges lie ahead."

What's your attitude heading into the spring season? What's the mood like in the team?

"We are positive. The atmosphere in the team is very good, and the preparations have confirmed our belief that we are ready. In the last friendlies we created many chances and conceded only one goal. We want to achieve our goals, score points and show a better side in the second half of the season than in the fall."