– This season will definitely be more difficult than the previous one. Aspirations and expectations will be at a higher level than last year. We are playing on three fronts. First the league and the European cups. We have a huge challenge ahead of us – these are the words Jacek Magiera used to announce the new opening of Śląsk Wrocław at the pre-match press conference. It is difficult to describe in any other way what will happen in the capital of Lower Silesia this season. The departure of Erik Expósito – the top scorer of the past season – means that the responsibility of scoring goals will have to be shared between several players. One of them is to be Sebastian Musiolik, who was brought in in June. another Junior Eyamba, whose contract we presented on Sport.pl.
A new beginning awaits Lechia Gdańsk as well. After a mere twelve-month ban, the footballers from the Tri-City will once again play in the Ekstraklasa. A book could be written about their path to the highest league. – Few people believed that the Gdańsk team would return to the elite after just one year. The club was in chaos and in a permanent crisis. But after the arrival of Paolo Urfer, the new owner, Lechia got back on its feet. The last 12 months were like a rollercoaster in Gdańsk – Sport.pl journalist Karolina Jaskulska wrote in May. Both teams wanted to start the new season and the new era with a victory.
Goal of the season? Neugebauer scored from the middle of the pitch
Friday's meeting began with a moment of silence, followed by loud chanting of Orest Lenczyk's name and property. The legendary coach who led Śląsk to the vice-championship and Polish championship title died on June 11.
Both teams could have opened the scoring in the first few minutes. First, Lechia threatened their opponents – Louis D'Arrigo ran into the penalty area and forced Rafał Leszczyński to intervene. Finally, the ball, which could have still ended up at Kacper Sezonienka's feet, was cleared by Aleks Petkov. Śląsk did not have to wait long for a response. Piotr Samiec-Talar tried to finish off a dangerous long-range shot by Mateusz Żukowski, but ultimately missed.
In the 12th minute of the match, the ball hit the net, and the circumstances in which it happened will remain in the memory for a long time. fans. Śląsk were calmly playing football in their own half when Simeon Petrov made a fatal technical error. Tomasz Neugebauer did not hesitate for long and, being at the center circle, hit Rafał Leszczyński's goal. The Wrocław goalkeeper was advanced and could not get back between the posts. Lechia returned to the Ekstraklasa with a bang. Exactly as they were relegated from it. The goal scored by Maciej Gajos might have immediately come to mind.
After scoring the goal, the Gdańsk team gave the field to the hosts. Śląsk took the initiative and tried to equalize. However, apart from Sebastian Musiolik's situation, which Bogdan Sarnawski dealt with, they were unable to threaten the guests. There was a lack of pressing in the opponent's half, as well as decisiveness in the attack, and until the break, Lechia could enjoy the lead.
Before the players returned to the competition, Blanka Stajkow, announced by the club, appeared on the pitch. The singer sang her hit “Solo”, which she performed during the final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest.
The second half of the match could have started with a bizarre goal. Bogdan Sarnawski got involved in unnecessary dribbling in his own penalty area and Piotr Samiec-Talar could have scored into the goal vacated by the Ukrainian. However, Andrei Chindris managed to clear the ball from in front of the goal line.
The Wrocław players were hitting the wall with their heads for a long time and couldn't find a way to defeat their rivals. New players appeared on the pitch – Filip Rejczyk and Arnau Ortiz. In added time, Nahuel Leiva finally tried his luck with a long-range shot, but Sarnawski made an effective save. A dozen or so seconds later, the scoreboard was 1:1. Tommaso Guercio took advantage of Alex Petkov's play and headed the ball into the goal. This was the young defender's first goal in Wrocław colors.
Lechia, although it was leading in Wrocław for the lion's share matchtakes a point from it. Śląsk, on the other hand, maintained its unfavorable series. From 2020 football players from the capital of Lower Silesia are unable to win the opening match Leagues.
On Wednesday, Magiera's team will start playing in European cups. At 6:00 PM, Śląsk Wrocław will play away against Riga FC in the first match of the second round of the Europa Conference League qualifications. On Sunday, the Polish vice-champions will play away against Piast Gliwice (5:30 PM). Lechia will host Motor Lublin on Friday (8:30 PM).
Śląsk Wrocław 1:1 Lechia Gdańsk (0:1)
Goals: Tommaso Guercio 90'+2 – Tomasz Neugebauer 13'
Silesia: Leszczyński – Zukowski (84' Gerstenstein), Petkov (k), Petrov, Szota (75' Guercio) – Pokorny, Schwarz (87' Ortiz), Jezierski (75' Rejczyk) – Samiec-Talar (84' Ince), Musiolik, Nahuel
coach: Jacek Magiera
Lechia: Sarnawski – Pila, Olsson, Chindris, Kałahur – Zelizko – d'Arrigo (77' Viunnyk), Neugebauer (61' Bułeca), Kapić (k), (87' Wendt), Mena (87' Conrado) – Sezonienko
coach: Simon Grabowski
- yellow cards: Jezierski, Szota – Neugebauer, Petrov
- judge: Patrick Gryckiewicz
- viewers: 23 646