Coaching duo: #RCHWIS

The coaches of both teams – Mariusz Jop and Dawid Szulczek – were in different moods after the #RCHWIS match. How did the coaches sum up the match? Check it out.

Mariusz Jop - Wisla Kraków

"A completely different mood than after the last league match. I think we started the match very well, and apart from a short section in the second half where the opponent had a few chances, we controlled the entire match," the coach began, adding: "We were very dangerous in almost every attack, so I think we definitely deserve credit for the players and the fans who created a fantastic spectacle here, in terms of the setting and the support. We are certainly very happy and satisfied with this match, with this result, and with the way we played. You could see the adjustments we were working on and that we moved the ball much faster, which paid off."

The opening minutes of the second half belonged to Ruch, but the Kraków team held their own and then played their own game. "I think the key was how we started, that we scored quickly, and we continued to do that. We didn't back down, we didn't wait, we remained aggressive and very dangerous in transition, which was a bit of a problem in the last match. Today we looked very good. Of course, the quick goal in the second half cooled down the hosts a bit, as they tried and tried to change the course of the match. However, we could say we were consistent in what we did, and the match ended on a high note for us," he replied.

The Biedrzycki-Kutwa duo started in central defense. Should we expect such a lineup in Gdynia? Young Mariusz Kutwa showed his strengths, also scoring a goal. "I think everyone who started played very well. Those who came on also gave a good boost, and of course we'll reflect on that. There's still a week until the next match, so we have time to think about it and optimally set up the team," he said.

When asked if the coach had ever achieved a more valuable victory in his role than the one against Ruch, and in front of such a large crowd, he replied: "We also beat Odra 5-0, so it was a high score. Of course, this setting was unique in the 21st century, so I'm not old enough to have any experience from the previous century and to have played in such a match. This setting reminds me more of national team matches than league matches, because it's rare to be able to play a match in such an atmosphere, and I'm glad we put on a good show. I think there was a lot of emotion. I'm glad that our fans also shared these positive emotions."

Marko Poletanović was a key player in the #RCHWIS match, especially from set pieces, as the coach commented: "Marko confirmed that this is his strength when it comes to taking set pieces. He has excellent footwork. The ball goes where he wants it. There's no coincidence here; it's repetitive. However, today the central midfielders seemed to have a slightly easier task because we defended differently, so they were a bit closer to the opponent. We knew what Ruch would be looking for, because of the wide-set number eights, and we also changed our formation slightly to accommodate that. And I think that was also a bit of a surprise for the home coach. Marko is an experienced player who plays quickly, primarily with one or two touches. That's something we were missing in the last match."

Angel Rodado's three goals and an assist made him the man of the match. "That's true. I'm glad Ángel returned with goals and a very good game. We know how important a player he is to us, but as I said in the pre-match press conference, if the team plays well, it will be easier for Ángel to get those goals and assists. And the team also played at a very high level today. Ángel was able to show his strength, so I'm very happy that he scored and played a great game," he analyzed.

Continuing the theme of individuality, has Frederico Duarte's performance brought him closer to the starting eleven? "Yes, he looked very solid already in the pre-season and confirmed it in training this week. He got his chance and I think he can consider this performance a very successful one, so yes... he fought hard to start the next match," he said.

One journalist concluded that victory can be boiled down to efficiency: "It's definitely an element that makes things easier later on. If we score first, the opponent has to change their defense. However, it must also be said that Ruch weren't a team that wanted to defend low and wait for us; they tried to press us high, which gave us more or less space to exploit. When we added quick ball movement to that, we were very dangerous. Every match is different, and I think that with a weak defense, a boost like a successful set piece or a good long-range shot is important. Or simply a successful move, and then those subsequent goals are much easier to come by. If we look at the raw statistics, today's match and the last one against Znicz are very similar. Of course, there were more shots on target today. However, when it comes to goal-scoring opportunities, they were of a similar standard, and there were also similar opportunities for different shots. So sometimes one situation determines the opportunities that open up later."

So, after the game, did a refrigerator come into the locker room to cool the players? "I don't think it's necessary. We're aware of where we are, how many points we have, and what lies ahead, so I think the ice will be useful, but only to speed up recovery and get the players on the ice. But I don't see any need for it," he assured.

Dawid Szulczek - Ruch Chorzów

"Everyone rose to the occasion... The match organizers, especially the fans, for which we thank them. Unfortunately, we did not," he began. "The match went fantastically for Wisła; everything was going their way, but we didn't live up to that level. I'm aware of the result, but that's football. Unfortunately, today we experienced a nightmare. These are the first points we've dropped at the Silesian Stadium under my tenure, and our first defeat this season, and it's immediately painful. It's hard for me to say anything more; nothing simply went our way today. We all see how I feel. We have to redeem ourselves. Tuesday is our next opportunity. If I'm to draw conclusions and see what this situation can teach us, what it can give us, then this is definitely an opportunity for the players who didn't get much playing time in the first two matches. Because, inevitably, after a match like that, there have to be minor changes, and probably even more than minor ones, in the lineup, so that the players I didn't choose in the first two matches can also get a chance to show off. We'll see how it goes. There's definitely a group that deserves to come out and redeem themselves for today's match." And there's no point in hiding the fact that we simply have to apologize to all the people who were hoping that this match would turn out differently today - he added.