2024-11-02 21:57:00
After three years of being a substitute and loans to Gent and Granada, Kamil Pi±tkowski finally got a chance at Red Bull Salzburg in the least expected moment. The Polish central defender has an undisputed position in the starting eleven of the Austrian club this season and in the vast majority of matches he plays from the first to the last minute. Thanks to this, he returned to the Polish national team, where he had a very successful performance against Croatia in October (3:3).
Piątkowski was supposed to rest. A teammate picked him up from the bench
Today (November 2, 2024), the team from Salzburg hosted Grazer AK, last in the table. The hosts may not be in the same shape this season as they were during many years of dominating the league (17 points in nine games). However, with a team that had not yet won a match in the league (5 draws, 6 defeats), they were a sure favorite, and coach Pepijn Lijnders decided to give the Pole a little rest and in his place, he included only 17-year-old Joane Gadou in the starting lineup.
Great performance by the Pole! The rivals couldn’t believe it
However, this decision did not turn out to be the best. Just before the break, in the 45th minute, the young Frenchman was sent off with a red card for a brutal foul. This forced coach Lijnders to let Piątkowski onto the pitch. He did not regret the decision, because the Pole made a great performance, which was sealed with an intervention in the 83rd minute, when he saved the team twice by clearing the ball from the goal line after shots by Jacob Italiano. The amazingness of this intervention is well reflected in the comment on the Grazer AK account on the X website. “What was that?! Zaizen passes the goalkeeper and shoots from a sharp angle, and then one of Salzburg’s defenders heads away Italiano’s follow-up,” we read.
Piątkowski’s efforts allowed Salzburg to keep a clean sheet, but not win the match. His colleagues from the attack line did not adapt to the Pole’s level. The hosts had only three shots on target, achieving expected goals of only 0.59. It is true that Karim Konate scored in the added time, but the referee whistled for an offside, which was confirmed by VAR a moment later. Thus, Red Bull Salzburg only drew 0-0 with Grazer AK and is currently in third place in the league, eight points behind the leader Strum Graz, which, however, has played two fewer matches.
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**Interview with Kamil Piątkowski – Red Bull Salzburg Defender**
**Interviewer:** Kamil, it’s been quite a journey for you to establish yourself at Red Bull Salzburg after spending years as a substitute and on loan. How does it feel to finally have a starting position and be an integral part of the team?
**Kamil Piątkowski:** It feels incredible. After all those years of hard work, patience, and learning during my loans at Gent and Granada, to finally be trusted in the starting eleven is a dream come true. I’ve put in a lot of effort, and when the opportunity came, I was ready to seize it.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that you returned to the Polish national team recently, where you had a strong performance against Croatia. How does it feel to don the national colors again?
**Kamil Piątkowski:** Wearing the national jersey is always special. Representing my country is an honor, and playing well against a strong opponent like Croatia was a tremendous confidence boost for me. It motivates me to keep performing at my best for both Salzburg and Poland.
**Interviewer:** Today, the team faced Grazer AK, who have struggled this season. Coach Pepijn Lijnders hinted at giving you a rest. How do you feel about that?
**Kamil Piątkowski:** While it’s important to listen to the coach’s strategy and understand the need for rotation in a long season, I always want to be out there to help my team. I trust that he’ll make the right decisions for our success. Rest is also vital for maintaining performance, especially as we approach a busy schedule.
**Interviewer:** With Salzburg not performing at their usual dominant level this season, how is the team coping with this situation?
**Kamil Piątkowski:** We know it’s a challenging time, but it’s essential to stay united and focused. We are working hard in training, analyzing our games, and maintaining a positive mindset. Every match is an opportunity for us to improve, and we are determined to get back on track.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, you’ve also had some personal milestones recently, including proposing to your partner, Julia. How do you balance your personal life with the demands of professional football?
**Kamil Piątkowski:** It’s all about finding that balance. My personal life gives me strength and motivation off the pitch, while my commitment to football drives me to succeed. I’m lucky to have supportive people around me, including Julia, who understand the demands of this career. It makes everything more fulfilling.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Kamil, for sharing your thoughts. We wish you continued success with Red Bull Salzburg and with your personal endeavors!
**Kamil Piątkowski:** Thank you! I appreciate it.
