Ślusarczyk: "We have a foundation on which we can build"

After an intensive preparation period, the CLJ U-15 team entered the spring season with clearly defined goals. The coaching staff focused on building form, perfecting their game model, and testing in demanding friendlies. What's the team's form like and what the first league match brought? Team coach Dawid Ślusarczyk shares his thoughts.

The team began preparations on January 7th, completing seven intensive micro-cycles that prioritized both motor skills and tactical aspects. The coaches ensured that each week of training built on the previous one, allowing for the team's systematic development. One of the key moments was the training camp in Kleszczów, where the intensity of the training reached its peak.

"We began preparations for the spring season on January 7th and had seven intense micro-cycles ahead of us. Each one had its own specific characteristics, both in terms of football and motor skills, and we – as a staff and team – consistently implemented the established plan. A key stage was the training camp in Kleszczów, where we played three friendly matches and raised the intensity of our work to the highest level in that period. This was a key moment when we were able to focus on the details and translate the training intensity into match conditions."

The team played regular practice matches to maintain match rhythm and gauge progress. Competing against teams such as Jagiellonia Białystok, Escola Varsovia, and Śląsk Wrocław allowed them to assess how the team performed in various conditions and what areas needed improvement.

"Each friendly is an opportunity to draw conclusions, improve our playing style, and adapt to the challenges that await us in the league. Each of these matches gave us valuable information about what we still need to work on, and also showed that our team has the potential to compete with teams of a similar level that we will face in the league."

The team remains committed to its goals – individual player development is paramount, which naturally translates into the overall quality of the team. The fall season left some disappointment, so the goal now is greater stability and better execution of tactical goals.

"Our goals have remained unchanged since the beginning of this season because we know how important consistent development is at all levels. Above all, we focus on the individual development of our players. We believe that the improvement in the athletic level of each player directly translates into the quality of the entire team. In the upcoming round, we want to show ourselves from a much better side – not only in terms of results, but above all in the context of the quality of our play."

There were several personnel changes over the winter. Two players left the team, while Kacper Kopijka was promoted to the senior CLJ U-17 team. Two new players were brought in to replace them, giving them time to adapt and gradually integrate into the competition. The team is also awaiting the return of Kacper Wolańczyk to full fitness.

"Two new players have also joined our team – Wiktor Kuśmierz from Champions Warsaw and Oliwier Gancarczyk from Zator. These are players who possess the right skills and football attributes that will be valuable contributions to our team. As for injuries, we are still waiting for the full return of Kacper Wolańczyk, who has been struggling with an injury for a while. We hope he will return to full fitness in the coming weeks and will be an important part of our team."

The opening match of the spring round against Korona Kielce showcased the two sides of the team. The first half was riddled with errors and difficulty responding appropriately to their opponent's quick attacks, but after the break the team proved they were capable of playing at a high level. Ultimately, the Kraków team lost 3-2.

"The first half was definitely not our best moment. We struggled to react appropriately to Korona's quick attacks and made too many simple mistakes. In the second half, however, we showed the level of our game. We were a team that consistently tried to change the score, played quickly, with intensity, and had a lot of chances to score. It's a shame we couldn't turn the match in our favor, but the second half shows that we have a foundation on which we can build in future matches."