Interview: Jakub Rzezniczak

Legia Warszawa defender Jakub Rzezniczak was kind enough to answer couple questions about himself, Legia Warszawa and the Polish national team. Here is the interview conduced by PolandSoccerBlog:

You have already played eight seasons with Legia Warszawa. Have you thought maybe it's time to try out your skills abroad? 

Its true, I have already played eight seasons with Legia, and like most players, I would like to try out my luck abroad. There has been couple inquiries in the past, but every time something happened, another thing stood in the way for the transfer to be completed. Generally, I keep those issues to my agent, and I only focus on soccer. I am already 26-years-old, and I would like to one day play for a foreign club before I retire.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I try to focus on todays date and not jump too far into the future. Of course every player wants to develop and grow, just like me.I try to do everything 100 percent, so when I look back five years from now, I want have anything to regret.

It has been more than an year since you lasted played for the Polish national team. Do you still believe your name will be included in the roster for Euro 2012 or is that a closed topic?

I try not to open up the topic about the Polish national for now. I am only thinking about battling out a permanent starting job at Legia's starting elven because that is the shortest way to the Polish national. I could only catch the national team coach's eye by showing off my good disposition on the fields of Ekstraklasa Its true, Euro is getting closer and time is running out, but even though I still believe.

What is your opinion about players who receive Polish passports to play for the Polish national team?

The topic is often being discussed by the media. Generally, I think players who hold Polish passports should play for our national team and players who have a strong relationship with Poland, but not players who just want to play during Euro 2012. I hope players that receive Polish passports feel very strong to Poland and that why they want to play in our national team.

What kind of chances do you give the Polish national during Euro 2012?

The Polish national team, as the hosts, have a good chance to achieve very good results during Euro 2012. Our strength will not only be the fans, but also our team beacuse we have good players who are in very high form with their season's ending such as the trio from Borussia Dortmund or Obraniak.

Legia Warszawa is slowly reaching for the league title. What is the difference between this year's team and last season's third place finish team?

I think the team looks very good in terms of organization. We're playing a lot better on the defensive side, and not allowing many goals, which is often the key to victory. I also think last season we were missing the experiences that players such as Michal Zewlakow, Danijel Ljuboja or Dusan Kuciak bring to the table. The team also learned from last season's mistakes, which presents to a higher form this season.

What do players such as Danijel Ljuboja, Nacho Novo or Ismael Blanco bring to a team like Legia Warszawa?

Certainly all three of them really helped rise our level of competition. These players played for very good clubs in Europe, and most importantly, they were key players for their respective teams. These players not only had great experience in the league play, but also in the arenas of European cups. I think the experience was really helpful when we played in the Europa League this season and hopefully, when we play in the Champions League next season.

What happened that Legia Warszawa's European League run ended against Sporting CP?


We lost against Sporting even though we weren't the worst side, but that is soccer and only one team can win. We missed couple chances and we regret, but after all we were pleased with how far we have managed to get this year, which not only pleases us, but also our fans.

What is your opinion about Rafal Wolski? Is it a birth of a new star for the Polish national team?

Rafal is a young player, but has repeatedly showed his particularly high technical skills. Hopefully he will continue to develop in the same pace as he has already. And if everything goes well and he avoids any serious injuries, I think one day he will be a fantastic player and will really help Legia Warszawa and the Polish national team.

Most memorable match you ever played in? 

The one that falls into my mind right now is last year's Polish Cup final against Lech Poznan. We won the match after penalty kicks in which after I scored one of them. The game was very exciting and intense and the atmosphere was not only hot on the field, but also in the stands.

Favorite stadium to play on in Poland expect Legia Warszawa's stadium? 


Recently, I got the pleasure to play on the National Stadium in Warszawa (Legia vs. Sevilla), and I think it is a stadium in which each player would like to play on.