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Samuel Ntamack: “Piast Gliwice is a Family. We’re Taking it Game by Game”

Samuel Ntamack: “Piast Gliwice is a Family. We’re Taking it Game by Game”

Samuel Ntamack opens up about life at Piast Gliwice, his chemistry with Leandro Sanca and Hugo Vallejo, the Ekstraklasa, young talents and why the team is taking it game by game.

Samuel Ntamack is quickly settling into life at Piast Gliwice, and the French striker has been impressed by both the quality of the Ekstraklasa and the atmosphere inside his new dressing room. In an exclusive interview with beIN Sports USA, Ntamack discusses Piast’s excellent run of form, the influence of coach Daniel Myśliwiec, his chemistry with Leandro Sanca and Hugo Vallejo, the potential of Piast’s young talents and his ambitions for his first season in Poland.

Don't miss Piast Gliwice's journey in Ekstraklasa on beIN SPORTS

Piast's Form, Myśliwiec and Ntamack's Adaptation

Daniel Sobis:

Samuel, Piast Gliwice have been playing some fantastic football recently, I have to admit. What has changed, and why do you think the team is in such great form right now?

Samuel Ntamack:

I think that with time, we can keep improving what we do as a team. That's probably the biggest thing that has changed. Every week, we work very hard and we keep doing the same things, but with time, everything becomes better. Day after day, we're improving, and now we can really see the results of that work on the pitch.

Daniel Sobis:

How is it working with coach Daniel Mysliwiec on a daily basis? What does he demand from you as a striker?

Samuel Ntamack:

He wants me to come towards the ball and, by doing that, leave space behind me and behind the center-backs for our wingers to attack. He also wants me to move between the lines and then make runs into the box. That's what he asks from me and that's what I try to do on the pitch.

Daniel Sobis:

What kind of manager is he when it comes to his relationship with the players?

Samuel Ntamack:

He's very calm, very calm. He speaks with a lot of the players and he communicates with us a lot. Because of that, we feel more confident when we play. He gives us confidence, and when you have that confidence from your coach, it makes things much easier for the players.

Daniel Sobis:

You're still relatively new to Polish football. Who has been your guide in the dressing room and helped you understand the league, the city and the culture?

Samuel Ntamack:

I think everybody has helped me. Everybody. But because I'm French, I speak a lot with Quentin Boisgard and Jason Lokilo. It's easier for me because they speak the same language as me. They've also been here for about a year, so they already know the club, the country and how things work here. That makes it much easier for me to adapt.

Daniel Sobis:

Do you feel comfortable in Gliwice and in Poland?

Samuel Ntamack:

Yes, definitely. It's a good country and a good city. I'm enjoying it here.

Daniel Sobis:

Just wait until the winter! You'll see!

Samuel Ntamack:

I know, I know! They've already told me about it!

Sanca, Vallejo and Ntamack's First Impressions of the Ekstraklasa

Daniel Sobis:

You seem to have a very good connection on the pitch with Leandro Sanca. Is that chemistry between you two important for the team?

Samuel Ntamack:

Yes, definitely. It's easy to play with Sanca because he knows what I'm going to do on the pitch, and it's the same for me, I know what he's going to do. We talk a lot during the game, so we understand each other well and that makes it easier for us to play together.

Daniel Sobis:

Another player in really good form is Hugo Vallejo, who has scored some spectacular goals recently. What do you think about him and his ability to help Piast grow as a team?

Samuel Ntamack:

For me, he's very important because he can make a big difference on his side. For a striker, that's very good because when he has the ball, he can create something. When he does that, I have more time and more space to move and try to do something different. So having a player like him is definitely better for me.

Daniel Sobis:

You've now experienced football in France, Belgium, Spain, including Huesca, and now Poland. Who has impressed you the most in the Ekstraklasa so far? I know you've only played a couple of matchdays, but is there a team or a player that has really impressed you?

Samuel Ntamack:

That's a good question! I am not sure, I don’t have an opinion wt the moment.

Daniel Sobis:

Has the Ekstraklasa surprised you in any way? Did you know much about the league before coming here?

Samuel Ntamack:

Yes, especially the stadiums. The stadiums have really surprised me because there are a lot of people and the stadiums are very good. In France, I think it's mainly the bigger clubs that have stadiums like that. Here in the Ekstraklasa, I think almost every club has a good stadium and a good atmosphere.

Daniel Sobis:

What about the style of play?

Samuel Ntamack:

It's a little bit similar to France because there are a lot of transitions in France as well. But here there are also a lot of duels and strong defenders. Compared to Spain, it's definitely different. In Spain, you have more time on the ball and teams tend to play more, so you have more time to build your attacks.

Daniel Sobis:

So you would say the main differences are the transitions and the intensity?

Samuel Ntamack:

Yes, exactly. I would say the transitions and the intensity are the biggest differences.

Ntamack's Ambitions and Piast's Young Talents

Daniel Sobis:

Let's talk a little bit about your ambitions. How many goals do you want to score this season in the Polish Ekstraklasa? Do you set yourself a specific target?

Samuel Ntamack:

No, I don't have a fixed number. Of course, I want to score a lot of goals, but I don't set myself a specific target. If I have the opportunity to score, I want to score. If I don't score, there's no problem, I just focus on the next game and try again. That's my mentality.

Daniel Sobis:

I'd also like to ask you about the young players at Piast, players like Lewicki, Leśniak and Kucharski. Having played in different countries yourself, do you see the potential for these guys to have big careers, especially watching them every day in training?

Samuel Ntamack:

Yes, of course. I really believe they have potential. In other countries, there are players who are less technically strong than Lewicki who are already playing in the first division. So for me, these young players have the quality to play at a higher level and in better leagues.

Daniel Sobis:

What is the atmosphere like in the dressing room, and who is the funniest guy in there?

Samuel Ntamack:

At the moment, we're enjoying ourselves a lot. We're happy and the atmosphere is very good. I think there are a lot of funny players in the dressing room, but Sanca is definitely one of them. Sanca is very funny.

Daniel Sobis:

What about you?

Samuel Ntamack:

Me, I think too!

Daniel Sobis:

Good, good. I like that answer! You've got a lot of international players in the squad, so I imagine that's also helping the dressing room grow together. Your next game is against Pogoń Szczecin, a strong rival. Are you preparing differently for this game, with any special tactics?

Samuel Ntamack:

No, no. I think we'll prepare in the same way. When you win a game, you shouldn't change too much. You have to keep doing what you're doing and keep pushing forward. Then we'll see what happens in the game.

Daniel Sobis:

Finally, let's talk about Piast's ambitions. Are you guys talking in the dressing room about potentially playing in European competitions? Piast have been champions of Poland before, so what are you thinking about?

Samuel Ntamack:

No, not yet. At the moment, we're taking it game by game. We don't think too much about the future or about where we could finish. We just go onto the pitch, play our football and try to win. Then, afterwards, we'll see if we can finish in a good position.

Daniel Sobis:

So you're just enjoying the moment?

Samuel Ntamack:

Yes, exactly.