Krzysztof Piatek began life in Qatar with the decisive goal for AFC Champions League qualification, but the start in the Qatari league proved difficult. Piatek is now making his mark and scoring goals for Al-Duhail, however, confirming his form from Turkey.
In our first interview since the start of the season in Qatar, we talk to the Polish striker about his new adventure, plans for the future and memories of his unforgettable time in Italy.
We say this with no ill intentions, but Al-Duhail came out of their first three league games with one point and a goal. The team didn't have an easy start to the season, did you?
"I can say that it was not easy. First of all, the situation was a bit unusual for me because we played a Champions League qualifying match, which was one game; there was no two-match series before the season even started.
"We prepared throughout the whole preparation period only for this match. We didn't look at the league because a club like Al-Duhail has to play in the Asian Champions League. So there was a huge pressure on us to play in it."
So it's not a matter of clashing with the Qatari August heat?
"We started the preparation camp here, where it was very hot. We went to the Netherlands for three weeks.
"When we came back, we trained for a week, practically all the time, in a stadium with air conditioning, and we didn't feel the heat before the league because we focused on the Champions League match. We played that match and then returned to the normal pitches, where the heat again took its toll. Really, the first two games, I, and physically I think the whole team, didn't feel comfortable in that weather."
However, since then, the streak has turned around, and now, with four goals in five games (following Thursday's game against Al Sadd), you're already competing for the lead in the goal scorers' standings. Are you happy with how things are going?
"For a couple of games I won't score, and then in two games I can score even five, six goals. And I could have had six goals to my credit in the last games if everything had fallen in. That was also the case in Turkey; that's the case now. I knew I would start scoring goals because I knew what kind of team we had, what kind of quality we had.
"And I felt good too. Perhaps for those first two or three games, due to the weather, I had to make a slight adjustment. But I knew I was going to start scoring goals. And that starts - five games, four goals - looks good. The worst thing is that those first three games got away from us as a team.
"Now we have to chase, because we should be at the top of the table with this quality."
At the end of the day, however, as a team, you are fighting to regain the title, right?
"That's the aim of the club. It has taken such a path, pulling me and other quality players to regain this championship. It is known that there is also Al-Sadd, who are defending their title, and, as I said, we have a slight false start. But as they say, it doesn't matter how you start; it matters how you finish (laughs). I hope that in the end it will be us who win the championship, and we will be happy about it."
'It's nice to be in a quiet place'
In earlier interviews, you mentioned that Doha was a considered decision. Having acclimatised, do you maintain the belief that it is a good place for a footballer?
"It's known, I was already here with the Polish national team at the 2022 World Cup, and I knew what to expect.
"We made this decision because we knew it was a peaceful country, above all, very safe. You have everything in place; you don't have to go anywhere. We went to see the city before signing the contract and we liked everything very much. You don't need anything else, just to prepare well for the match and play."
But it's not Milan or Istanbul in terms of football fever. I remember that in Genoa, the paparazzi were following you. Is it better in a quieter environment?
"It's nice to be in a quiet place, but also not to be: a few people have helped me settle into the city. And it was meeting some Italian tourists or people who live here and know me from playing in Italy or Turkey. They said hello, they said I'm sure to have a good life here, and that we're welcome to Qatar.
"So that also in Doha I can meet people who recognise me. But it's certainly not at the level it was in Milan or Genoa."
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The city is one thing, but the Qatar Stars League (QSL) has considerable plans. There's a lot of talk about Saudi Arabia, and there's also a lot going on in Qatar from a sporting angle. You are part of the expansion plan. How do you perceive it yourself?
"Before coming, I thought it was similar to Arabia: money for good players and playing. But looking more broadly at their capabilities, how they want to develop the country and the league through local players, it's impressive. They have an Aspire complex and youngsters who have everything to develop.
"Everything is at a high level, and even with us, we have two or three boys who have jumped into the team from there. You can see how high their skills are, what physical preparation they have. Not only in terms of bringing players in, but developing talent locally, it's going in a very good direction. I think in five, maybe seven years, the league will draw a lot from local players, not just from Europe."
In fact, after the World Cup, people talk less about Qatar, and yet it's not just the stadiums that are left, but a huge amount of infrastructure that has been developed over the years. And it continues to work - the U17 World Cup is due in November, the Arab Cup in December, and you yourself mentioned air-conditioned stadiums.
"The infrastructure is immeasurable, really. You have a lot of stadiums, and even the ones outside the World Cup are air-conditioned. You have a lot of training centres, and I'm not sure if any city in Europe has an infrastructure like Doha.
"Because it is, after all, one city with many complexes. There is a huge amount of that. We have everything to develop this league, this country, in terms of football. And it's going in that direction."
'We need to win a trophy this season'
Recently, you had a clash with Al Hilal who are dubbed the Asian Real Madrid. How difficult was the match from your perspective?
"Well, it certainly wasn't an easy match because we were playing away. But as much as I thought it would be tough, from the pitch, we really defied the odds. We had our situations, and above all, we had a plan for this match. With a bit of luck, it really could have ended in a draw, or we could have even turned things in our favour with better luck and better play of the situation."
Apart from the Champions League, the domestic competition is unusual. The Qatar League does not have many teams, and the Emirates Cup is of great importance. Which trophy would weigh more if you could win it?
"I would definitely want to win something because that is my goal here. Coming to the club, I knew we had to win a trophy of some kind this season. The pressure is high, and you can see that inside, at the club. I'd like to do it, but there's also a lot of work ahead of us. We had that false start in the league, we are chasing the top and we are in a good position to catch up.
"The Emirates Cup is specific, because you practically play it at the end of the season, from the end of April to the end of May. And there has to be a form shot at the end of the season. That's when you'll know if you're capable of winning something. As I say, we definitely want to win the championship and fight for the Emir Cup, because it's important too.
"Whoever wins the Emir's Cup plays in the Champions League next season, that's the one place that's allocated there and we would definitely like to do that. But I am also a man who goes in small steps. Every game is important, then the next one, the next one, and we'll see where it takes us."
Such was your form at Basaksehir at the turn of the year, you were a hair away from a run of 12 games with at least one goal in each game, and you scored 16 goals in that purple patch. Do you hope for a similar run in Qatar, or is the team result more important?
"It's known, I came here with the pressure to score important goals to give victories. First and foremost, I am a striker, and with goals I can help the team; that is my goal. I don't look at the number of goals; in every game, I want to make my mark, help the team and above all, I want to win something with the team.
"If I have to score five goals less and we win the championship or the Emirates Cup, then I take it in the dark and don't even think about it. My disposition is very important for the team, and I know that with goals, I can bring the club closer to winning the title this season."
'I learn from my mistakes'
The first such spectacular goal-scoring run you had was in Genoa in 2018. Is there any way to produce such impressive numbers now, regardless of your age?
"Definitely experience and the years I've played at different levels, in different countries. But above all, I learn from my mistakes. Because you know that after that, Genoa or after the start at Milan, later came the worst years. There were injuries, there were misguided changes of clubs, and it wasn't so colourful either. Above all, I found my peace, an inner peace.
"Because you know that on the pitch you have to be calm, and whatever happens, believe in every situation that you can change the fate of the team. This also comes with age, with experience. As I say, the last few years I've been changing clubs, I've been able to develop and basically I've had that peace of mind."
In previous interviews, you mentioned working with a psychologist, catching your balance. Would you be able to say how important that is alongside your work on the pitch?
"It certainly helps to a great extent. It's not even about sporting or footballing considerations; it's about life. Because when you have that peace of mind, arranged in your head and in your life, it all pays off later on the pitch and you get better results. That's how it was for me.
"I had to delve into my past, my present, and my future, and I found that peace of mind. Later, that was reflected in the pitch and the goals I scored. I owe a lot, a lot to the psychologist, and I think that's a normal part of our work today: mental training. Every professional sports club should have a standard training unit for its players."
Positive memories of Milan
Let's refer back to your Italian experience. On September 28th, Milan played against Napoli, does that remind you of something?
"And where do they play, at the San Siro? Well, you know it! That nice game we played in the Italian Cup, in which I scored two goals, a 2-0 win, and I hope the same result on September 28th."
The beginning of your adventure in Milan was outstanding; it ended rather bitterly. How do you recall it in retrospect?
"Certainly only positively, because it is a dream club. I was always a Milan supporter, and I could wear their jersey and play at the San Siro. It's been a dream since I was a kid, and I will always have great memories of this stay, never negative ones.
"Even if there were some negatives - as you say - at the end, I'll always remember that time as the best of my career because I played at the club I wanted to play at since I was a kid and I can't remember it badly.
"Indeed, the end could have turned out differently; I could have also maybe reacted better, because I was a young lad and didn't have that much experience. The club could have reacted differently, too; it just is what it is. It's in the past, and I can only speak positively about Milan because they are a great club."
That was the year they spent €70 million on you and Paqueta. Do you feel they lacked patience and faith in you?
"This is such a big club that you have to make a result here and now, you have to look good here and now, because at any moment they can replace you and bring in two more players for another 70 million. It's never been a problem for them, and the pressure is huge because it's one of the biggest clubs in the world; that's the truth.
"As I say, maybe I could have reacted differently; at the end, the pressure was at such a high level that I could have burned out, or the club could have held the pressure a little bit as well. So much, it was what it was.
"Paqueta and I certainly don't regret the move because we played at a great club. As you can see, they continue to have a problem with the striker; they change regularly and can't find a player who would play and score goals for the club for 5-6 years. Because it's not easy."
