Entrevista: Daniel Sobis con Joel PereiraInterview: Daniel Sobis with Joel Pereira

Daniel Sobis: Joel, recent results have been very positive for Lech Poznań. Do you feel this is a real comeback for the team, or is there still a lot of work to be done?

Joel Pereira: There is still a lot of work to do. Of course, this is a good moment for the team. Especially our first halves have been very strong — we’ve been scoring early and starting games well. But we are still far from our biggest target.

Daniel Sobis: The beginning of the season was very tough for you. Is there an explanation for that? Why was the start — and also the beginning of this year — so difficult?

Joel Pereira: I think every season has its challenges. I’ve been at this club for five seasons now and I’ve given everything to it. This season again we had many new transfers and a lot of injuries. Early on we lost important players — and that’s never easy. We had to adapt. New players came in, and we needed time to understand each other, the ideas of the coaching staff, and also deal with a very demanding schedule. When you have a short squad and many games, it’s not easy to manage everything. But overall, our objectives were clear — league, cup, and Europe — and we are still alive in all of them. Looking back, I think the first six months were generally positive.

Daniel Sobis: How would you describe the atmosphere in the dressing room? This is your fifth season — do you feel this group is special?

Joel Pereira: There’s a big difference every season. I meet many new players every year. From my first season, only a few players are still here — like Milić and Ishak. So you can imagine a lot of changes, a lot of adaptations. There’s always a lot of adaptation — for us and for the newcomers. Sometimes you’re closer to some players than others, which is normal everywhere. But overall, the atmosphere is very good. We try to enjoy ourselves during the week, joke around, and keep things light before games — always with respect and knowing the limits. Creating a good environment is very important.

Daniel Sobis: About jokes. Is Pablo Rodriguez the biggest joker in the dressing room? And why does he walk around in flip-flops and shorts during winter?

Joel Pereira: I don’t know if he’s the biggest joker, but he’s definitely a funny and very positive guy. We actually have four or five players who are really funny. Pablo is special. He strongly believes in natural habits — walking barefoot, no socks, no shoes. For me it’s crazy, but he believes in it and he’s never sick. So for him it works, and he’ll definitely continue.

Daniel Sobis: Have any teammates already picked up those habits from him?

Joel Pereira: Yes, especially during our time in Dubai. Some Polish players like Kozubal or Jagiełło started taking off their socks and shoes after training and walking barefoot. Many players also use special glasses now — yellow ones during the day, orange ones at night. Pablo was one of the first, and now many players follow him.

Daniel Sobis: You’re playing on three fronts now — league, cup, and Europe. After those three upcoming games, will we know what Lech is really fighting for this season?

Joel Pereira: Yes, 100%. Before the next international break, we’ll know exactly where we stand. We can still fight in the cup, in Europe, and in the league. The title race is very tight this season, but I truly believe we can fight until the end — even for a double. Everything before the break can change a lot. Being out of Europe wouldn’t be so bad, but being out of the cup — especially at home — would be very disappointing.

Daniel Sobis: Ekstraklasa this season is crazy — the gap between the top and bottom is extremely small. Why is the competition so tough?

Joel Pereira: Teams playing in European competitions lose points because it’s very difficult to play every three days. People sometimes don’t understand how hard that is — the travel, the schedule, the pitches, the fatigue. The second reason is investment. Clubs are investing a lot of money and bringing in quality players. That’s why seeing big clubs lower in the table feels strange — but that’s football. And that’s why football is so special. But to see Legia there at the bottom of the table, Widzew there, it's completely crazy.

Daniel Sobis: Your coach, Niels Frederiksen, is often described as cold. How is he really in the dressing room?

Joel Pereira: I have a lot of respect for him. He’s very intelligent and knows exactly when to step back and when to impose his rules. He’s actually a very nice guy and sometimes very funny. What you see on TV — those facial expressions — that’s him. He has no second face. Sometimes he smiles, sometimes he doesn’t. You just need to understand him. He’s one of the key pieces that make everything work.

Daniel Sobis: You’re competing for the right-back position with Robert Gumny. How does that rivalry affect your motivation and performance?

Joel Pereira: I never look over my shoulder. My focus is on my own work. Robert is a fantastic professional and a very good player — five years in the Bundesliga says everything. But I work for myself. I do my job, and the coach decides. It doesn’t matter who I’m competing against — my approach stays the same.

Daniel Sobis: This is your fifth season at Lech. Has this been the most difficult one?

Joel Pereira: Every season has been similar. I’ve always had competition and periods on the bench. That’s football. If the team is winning, you respect the coach’s decision, train hard, and wait for your opportunity. When my chance comes, I’m ready — and I’m confident I’ll perform.

Daniel Sobis: How important will the game against Raków Częstochowa be?

Joel Pereira: Honestly, I’m focused on the next European game first. Raków is important, of course, but the championship won’t be decided in one match. It will be a great atmosphere, a full stadium, and an important rivalry — but just three points. In my opinion, the most decisive match will be away against Jagiellonia. That’s the game we must win.

Daniel Sobis: Many people talk about the rapid development of young defender Wojciech Mońka. What makes him special?

Joel Pereira: I really believe in him. Even before he played regularly, you could see something special in training. He’s very mature for his age — calm, intelligent, technically strong. He plays like he’s 25, not 18 or 19. He’s not a typical Polish center-back; he’s more like a Portuguese defender. He has huge potential, although he still has a long road ahead. I enjoy watching him a lot. At this moment, in my opinion, Mońka, as a younger player, might have slightly higher potential to reach a top level.

Daniel Sobis: So which of them is likely to be sold first — Kozubal or Mońka?

Joel Pereira: I’m not the club president, but the club definitely has two diamonds on its hands. At this moment, in my opinion, Mońka might have slightly higher potential to reach a top level. That said, football is unpredictable — I’ve seen many things in this game, and careers can take very different paths. Another player might come through and have an even better career. But both of them have outstanding potential, and the club can be very proud to be developing players like this.

Daniel Sobis: Finally — Mikael Ishak. How important is he for Lech Poznań?

Joel Pereira: Mikael is a legend. He deserves all the respect he gets. His leadership comes from presence, not shouting. With experience, his game has evolved. He understands football deeply — pressing, dropping deep, creating space. People only look at goals, but if you really understand football, you see how important he is. He still scores, works incredibly hard, and gives everything for the team.

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