Marko Božić after #WISRCZ: The fans are our twelfth player, helping us get through difficult moments
Damian Urbaniec
Marko Božić summed up the win over Raków and talked about his return from injury, on-pitch teamwork, the atmosphere at Reymonta, and relationships in the dressing room.
How would you assess today’s match, especially considering that after taking the lead, the opponents managed to equalize?
I think we handled the opponents’ style of play well. Scoring the first goal was very important. Then it became 1-1, but we showed our mentality once again, especially at home.
We’re still the only team that hasn’t lost at home, so we’re very happy about that. Of course, the most important thing is the three points.
After missing the match against Widzew, you returned to the pitch today, coming on for the final 15 minutes. Are your health problems completely behind you now?
Everything is fine. I feel good, and I have no health issues. There’s nothing to worry about.
We often see you cut inside with the ball and look for a chance to shoot. This part of your game reminds some people of Arjen Robben. Is it a move you now perform almost instinctively?
That’s my style of play. I like to cut inside with the ball, but I also like to go wide. I enjoy one-on-one duels and dribbling. Those are the elements that define my game.
But it’s not just about me, because the team as a whole is what matters most. Every player has their strengths, and mine is this particular style of play. We try to make the most of those strengths while also using the abilities of the other players. Some are good at shooting, others at passing or crossing.
I think we’re performing really well as a team.
The stands at Reymonta were once again filled to capacity. After so many appearances in front of your home crowd, do you still feel how special the atmosphere is, or have you already got used to it?
I think playing in front of our fans is always special. There are special emotions every time. It was the same in the First League, when the stadiums were full too, and now in the Ekstraklasa we have a full crowd at practically every match.
We’re very happy about it and grateful to the fans. They’re our twelfth player and help us through difficult moments. Even when the score is 1-1, we don’t give up, and the fans see that and support us throughout the match.
We’re happy we were able to score, celebrate together and give them the joy of another three points.
WThere are a few players on the team you can easily communicate with in German. Has having a common language helped you form a closer group outside of training too?
Yes, we spend time together. Dario, Gigi, Marcel, Julius and I speak German. Of course, we’re very close, but that doesn’t mean we only stick to our own group.
We like talking to everyone because we’re one team. On the pitch, we have to work together and play as a team. It’s not just about the German-speaking players.
Sometimes we also play cards together, which is a really nice way to spend our free time.
Since you mentioned cards, which games do you play most often, and who’s the toughest opponent in your group?
We play Wista. We have some really good players.
And what’s your relationship like outside the club? Do you also organize outings and get-togethers in your free time?
Of course, we spend time together off the pitch too. We enjoy sharing different moments outside of training as well.
It’s really special that we have such a good relationship with one another. That doesn’t mean, though, that we only go out with the German-speaking players. We invite the others too, including the French and Polish players.
We try to maintain good relationships with everyone because it’s very important for our game. It’s important to have a good atmosphere in the locker room and avoid forming cliques.
I think you can see it on the pitch too. We’re one team, and it doesn’t matter who starts and who comes on later. We all have the same goal: to earn three points.
Which players do you link up with best on the pitch? Is there anyone you work particularly well with when building attacks?
I have a good on-field connection with many players. To be honest, I enjoy playing with everyone.
Dario and Krzyżo play on the same side as me, on the left, so I work with them most often. Julius also sometimes plays in that area, while Rodado is in the penalty area.
So we have lots of different ways to build attacks. I think that’s why we’re so dangerous going forward.
It’s not that I only understand one or two players well. We all work well together, although of course I play more often with some of them because of our positions on the pitch.
Today’s match was special for Julius, who scored his first goal in the Ekstraklasa. How important could this goal be for him?
I’m very happy for him. He scored his first goal in the Ekstraklasa, and I think that’s a really important step in his development.
We’re happy he’s with us, that he’s part of our team and has signed a new contract. We’re simply very pleased about it.
It was clear you wanted to finish one of the moves yourself with a goal. Does not scoring yourself leave you feeling that something was missing after this match?
Of course I’d like to score a goal. I’d like to score in every game. Sometimes it works out, and other times you get an assist. That’s football.
Have you fully recovered from the injury you were dealing with recently, and do you feel comfortable on the pitch?
Yes, everything is fine.
You have an away game in Poznań coming up. Are you physically ready to start?
Yes, I’m ready. Of course, the final decision is up to the coach.
Marko Božić after #WISRCZ: The fans are our twelfth player, helping us get through difficult moments