After the international break, the Ekstraklasa returns, and with it the match between Lechia – Jagiellonia. Before the first whistle of Saturday’s game, coach John Carver met with the press.
How did preparations for the match against Jagiellonia go?
Of course, we had the international break and almost two weeks to prepare for the match. After the game against Radomiak, I joined the Scottish national team camp, but afterward, I flew to Dubai and spent a day with the team. The matches we played were very tight, but as I said after the Radomiak game — the performance is not the most important thing right now, but the three points, so we can get out of the trouble we’re in. Jagiellonia is in great form and has had success in Europe, with the Super Cup just ahead of them. It will be a tough match, but we’re not afraid — we want to treat it as a challenge. We’re in the best shape we’ve ever been in terms of squad selection — everyone is available. It’s also great that we don’t have any suspensions due to yellow cards. This is actually the first time I have everyone at my disposal.
Were the goals achieved during the training camp in Dubai?
To be honest, I don’t know if there was any financial success — I wasn’t interested in that. I watched the friendly match on the plane to Dubai. One of the many positives was that we won and, most importantly, didn’t concede a goal. We built things not just on the pitch, but off it as well — we spent a lot of time together. I often talked with coach Bella. I was pleased with how it all went.
What did the trip give the team — an improvement in mental aspects or set-piece routines?
Exactly what you said — that’s what we worked on. We had the opportunity to go over all set-piece situations, since we recently conceded a goal from one. And since we’ve been working with coach Bella for the past three months, we were able to implement the things we’ve been working on daily. It’s good to take the whole team into a completely different environment to cut off the noise. Why do I think it’s a good solution? Because after the training camp in Turkey, we started picking up points. It would be great if the same thing happened this time. Honestly, time will tell and we’ll find out after the match. Unfortunately, I don’t have a magic wand and I’m not entirely sure what the outcome of this camp will be. What I can say is that the team looked better than yesterday — and that’s a good thing.
Did coach Radosław Bella, who is also responsible for set pieces, get a figurative “talking-to” after the last match?
Nice to get a question like that sometimes. Honestly, I take responsibility for the whole team, and I also approve the entire set-piece concept. It was just a joke and a little bit of a break from the seriousness.
Will Andrei Chindris, who played in the friendly match in Dubai as a center-back, be in the starting lineup against the Polish champions?
I think you know the kind of answer I’ll give, but I’ll agree that we have some issues in the back line. As I mentioned — for the first time, I’m in a situation where I can choose from all the players. You’ll find out who won that competition 90 minutes before kickoff. Coaches often say it’s not just the goalkeeper or defenders who are responsible for defending — it’s the whole team. We defend and attack together.
What was your reaction to the two goals scored by Bohdan Viunnyk for the Ukraine U-21 national team?
That’s an amazing question. On the way back from Dubai, Radek Bella showed me the two goals Bohdan scored, and I was really happy. I decided I’d talk to him in person and give him a manly hug. I joked that we should put a Ukraine shirt under his Lechia kit — maybe that’ll help him. He played in his natural position there, while here he plays a bit deeper, as a number 10 — so that’s a difference.
