Marcel Łubik after #WIDWIS: At Wisła, we all stick together. We’re one family.
Damian Urbaniec
Marcel Łubik appeared on the “Super Piątek” program on Canal+ Sport after Wisła Kraków’s goalless draw with Widzew Łódź. In an interview with Cezary Olbrycht, the White Star goalkeeper reviewed his performance, commented on Ángel Rodado’s missed penalty, talked about working with coach Mariusz Jop, and shared some insights into life in the Wisła dressing room. Former Poland international Andrzej Juskowiak was also in the studio, analyzing the Wisła goalkeeper’s performance.
On his saves against Widzew
Łubik made several effective saves in the match in Łódź. During the interview, Cezary Olbrycht reminded him, among other things, of his saves from a free kick and a shot by Fran Álvarez. The Wisła goalkeeper made no secret of the high standards he sets for himself.
“I’m glad I was able to show what I can do, but honestly, I also have to make saves. I’m capable of stopping shots like those. I always demand as much as possible of myself. I’d be disappointed in myself if I hadn’t saved either the free kick or Álvarez’s shot.”
On Ángel Rodado’s missed penalty
In the match against Widzew, Ángel Rodado missed a chance to score from the penalty spot. Łubik stood up for his teammate, emphasizing his importance to the team.
“I think if he’d had another twenty attempts, he would have hit the same corner all twenty times. These things happen. No one holds it against Rodado. We know how much he helps us and how much he contributes to our play. It happens. I’m sure the next one will go in.”
The goalkeeper was also asked about Wisła’s attacking potential and the level of players competing in the PKO BP Ekstraklasa.
“There are also players with a different level of quality. Today I faced a Poland youth international, and Kapuadi was there at the back too. These are top-class players.”
On playing with his feet and taking risks
One of the topics discussed in the studio was Marcel Łubik’s ability with the ball at his feet, an important part of the way Wisła Kraków build their attacks. Andrzej Juskowiak highlighted the goalkeeper’s ability to play long passes, while the host also recalled situations from earlier matches in which taking risks did not always produce the desired result.
“That’s my game. Coach in requires me to take a lot of risks and make decisions under the greatest pressure. I take that responsibility, of course, but I also I demand to myself, so I make the right decisions. And I think I still have a lot to improve. I have a good foundation when it comes to playing with my feet, but I know I can do much, much more, even today. So I’ll keep working on it.”
On working with Augsburg and the future
Łubik remains a player for FC Augsburg, from which he is on loan to Wisła Kraków. In the conversation, he confirmed that the German club regularly checks in on his progress, but for now he wants to devote all his attention to playing for the White Star.
“I follow Augsburg’s matches. Recently, I also spoke with the goalkeeping coach and the people responsible for me, so we’re in close contact. That everything is going in the right direction, but now I really want to focus more on Wisła Kraków, because we have a lot of work to do.”
On Alan Uryga and Rafał Janicki
The host also asked Marcel to compare two experienced defenders he had the chance to play alongside - Alan Uryga and Rafał Janicki.
“That’s a very good question. I’ll put it this way: it’s a real pleasure to play with both of them, because I simply feel confident in the penalty area. They both have incredible timing and are real beasts, so they’re not easy to get past.”
On the captains and the atmosphere in the dressing room
Later in the conversation, Łubik compared the leadership styles of Alan Uryga and Erik Janža, with whom he worked at Górnik Zabrze.
“It’s not even about shouting; Alan is simply louder, but also because Erik is a different person. As captain, he helps more through his quality on the pitch and his experience, so he’s a different type of player.”
On his relationship with Rafał Gikiewicz
The conversation also included memories of his time in Augsburg. Rafał Gikiewicz holds a special place in the young goalkeeper’s career, having helped him find his feet in the German club’s dressing room.
“With his son Piotrek too I had good contact, a great guy. I remember Rafał from the first day, and he really helped me settle into the dressing room.”
“He helped in the dressing room, but also off the pitch. A great guy, we’re still in very good contact to this day, so I respect him.”
Łubik also referred to the anecdote about a visit to McDonald’s together.
“What do you mean? I think anyone can do it. But it was even just for one ice cream. Then we got back from the match, so only one little ice cream was had, a McFlurry and nothing else.”
The goalkeeper also talked about making protein shakes in Augsburg.
“We always had our own kitchen in Augsburg, and there was frozen fruit, amino acids, some protein. He always told the young guys, when I arrive, it has to be ready, but I stuck to it.”
On his welcome at Wisła and restaurant R22
One of the more humorous moments of the conversation was recalling the video introducing Łubik as Wisła’s new player. The goalkeeper appeared at restaurant R22, where a dish inspired by his hometown was prepared for him.
“Our amazing media team has incredible ideas, and we’ve opened a new restaurant, R22, at the stadium. They always welcomed new players with a dish from where they come from. I’m from near Szczecin, so I think they served herring tartare. What an incredible idea; I’d never have thought of that. Huge credit to our media team.”
The conversation also turned to the goalkeeper’s food habits. Asked about the pistachio doughnuts that reportedly regularly disappear from Wisła’s locker room, he replied:
“No, no, not all the time, but sometimes you have to. Sometimes you need to clear your head, too, and everyone will agree that something sweet never hurts.”
On team relationships and card games
Łubik also talked about the team’s day-to-day life. At first, he spent most of his time with the German-speaking group, but, as he admitted, relationships in Wisła’s locker room are not limited by nationality or language.
“Honestly, it’s changed a little. I spend a lot more time with Kacper Duda now. We have our card games there; we play a German game called Wizard. That’s what brings us together. The locker room is so great that even the Polish guys come over and chat with us, watch, and ask questions.”
“I know what it’s like when there are often cliques in the locker room. Here, it at Wisła “There’s none at all. We really all stick together here; we’re one big family.”
The goalkeeper also revealed that one of the team’s popular pastimes is the card game Wizard. Julius Ertlthaler and Dario Grujčić are among those who take part. Łubik smiled as he responded to a teammate’s suggestion that he sometimes cheated during games.
“I’m not cheating; Dario’s the only one who does that, and he loses too, so what goes around comes around. I really can’t complain about my card-playing skills. I think Julius and I are at the top.”
Asked who was best at tennis, he admitted that Dario Grujčić was the top player.
“You have to admit, he’s the best.”
On his private life and the pecking order at home
At the end, Cezary Olbrycht asked the goalkeeper who was most important in his household.
“Since my girlfriend lives in Germany, I’d probably say the dog, but yes, she’s here with me now, so she may not understand, but she’s definitely watching. Let’s say her.”
Asked to clarify the final pecking order, Łubik replied with a smile:
“Definitely her, the dog, me.”
Source: Canal+ Sport, the program “Super Friday.” Cezary Olbrycht conducted the interview, and Andrzej Juskowiak was also a guest in the studio.
Marcel Łubik after #WIDWIS: At Wisła, we all stick together. We’re one family.