Wilfredo Leon began the nationwide workforce season with a number of days of coaching in Spała. He solely went to Ljubljana for matches with the nationwide workforce – the final match of the common section of the Nations League was organized in Slovenia. The ultimate section of the competitors, which is able to begin in Łódź on Thursday, will probably be a check for him, but in addition solely his second interval of taking part in on the pitch.
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– Once we have been coaching, I had the sensation that my kind was slowly returning – says the Polish nationwide workforce participant. – However to verify it, you at all times should play. Perhaps it wasn’t tense, however I had the thought in my head, “What is going to it’s like?” I used to be apprehensive: would all the things go completely, like throughout coaching, and would there be good chemistry with the boys, or would one thing be lacking? In the long run it was appropriately and I used to be very happy. This membership season was very tough, the nationwide workforce season began and I used to be absent from the primary two tournaments. Everybody has already received into the rhythm, however for me it was simply coming again. Nevertheless, I’m positive that it’s going to seem on the proper time – factors out Leon.
Till not too long ago, Leon did not need to discuss it. “It is an issue, however not an enormous one.”
Leon, in an interview with Sport.pl in the course of the match in Ljubljana, didn’t need to reply one query. Once we introduced up the topic of his well being and accidents that plagued him in the course of the membership season in Perugia, he requested us to skip this subject and transfer on to the following one.
Now, earlier than the match in Łódź, he was a lot calmer and instructed us about his state of affairs for the reason that starting of preparations. – My well being permits me to play for the time being. Each athlete has days when you find yourself subdued, as a result of one thing is tense in your muscle groups and you are feeling dangerous. It occurs to me typically too. It’s not one thing dramatic, it passes. An important factor is that I’m now not taking painkillers. And that’s already a giant plus – he explains.
– It is an issue, however not an enormous one. There was a little bit of worry, as a result of typically I lacked self-confidence. One a part of me wished to do all the things one hundred pc on a regular basis, however the different half held me again and mentioned that it is higher to do 90 %, as a result of one thing may occur. Throughout the coaching camp in Spała, I did not bounce for some time, however I did not have an issue leaping excessive, solely with touchdown. I instructed myself “Okay, right this moment it is 50 centimeters, tomorrow 60” and so forth slowly. I made it a technique of returning to full leaping with out the stress that the issues would come again, and that helped – describes Leon.
– Working with a physiotherapist? It is moderately customary. I want a bit of extra work on my thighs, they have to be massaged. They are usually tense and there’s stress on the kneecap, which results in knee ache. There isn’t any want for a laser or further therapies. All you want is a therapeutic massage. The place does this come from? Nicely, sport is well being, proper? However while you play at such a excessive stage for thus a few years, it begins to put on off. Nevertheless, an important factor is that I’m standing on two legs with out assist, and we’ll combat for the remainder – laughs the volleyball participant.
Grbić approached Leon earlier than an vital match. The volleyball participant was requested one query
In Ljubljana, Leon appeared on the pitch in a novel match: for the primary time since he joined the Polish nationwide workforce in 2019, he performed in opposition to Cuba – the workforce with which he began taking part in internationally and with which he grew up taking part in volleyball.
– Let me let you know, I received a query from the coach: how are you feeling? And I reply with a query: how ought to I really feel? If I’ve to play, I’ll play. I am right here to do my job. The coach puzzled how I might really feel about taking part in in opposition to the nation the place I used to be born, however I am not on vacation. If I wished to relaxation, I might fly to the Maldives, however right here I prepare and need to play, says Leon.
– My coronary heart wasn’t beating any quicker. I deal with it extra as one other match that should be gained. If I have been to assume that it was a particular match as a result of it was in opposition to my former workforce, I would not play the identical, one hundred pc. I should not method it this fashion, says the participant.
The quarterfinals are once more in opposition to Brazil. Time for revenge after the defeat in Japan. “This could equalize the forces”
Now the Poles face the quarter-finals of the Nations League. They’ll play in opposition to the Brazilians on Thursday. This is similar rival that Nikola Grbic’s workforce defeated final 12 months at this stage of the match within the match in Gdańsk. – We’re in actually good condition and with none issues. Are they weaker or higher than a 12 months in the past? You simply should exit on the pitch and play. That is it – Leon emphasizes.
The Brazilians, who would be the White and Reds’ group rival on the Olympics beginning subsequent month, have already defeated the Poles as soon as on this 12 months’s Nations League – 3-1 on the finish of the second regular-phase match in Fukuoka, Japan. – I do know that again then they have been very efficient in assault, with excessive balls. They stored the celebration nicely, there weren’t too many aces. However on this closing section, the boys have already got the burden of a number of matches on their backs and he ought to assist equalize their power – assures Wilfredo Leon.
The match in opposition to Brazil in Łódź is scheduled to start out at 20. Stay protection on Sport.pl and the Sport.pl LIVE utility.