On Friday evening, Lech Poznań closed 2024. The away match against Górnik Zabrze seemed to be a difficult one. Especially since last week the Poznań team only had a goalless draw with Piast Gliwice. Zabrze wanted to maintain their good mood after an impressive 4-2 win against Korona Kielce.
Three goals at the end of the year in Zabrze
The beginning of the match showed that there would be no repeat of Lech's clash in Upper Silesia. From the fourth minute, no one was in danger of a boring 0-0. The hosts took the lead, although Luka Zahovic's goal was initially disallowed. It seemed that the Slovenian was offside when passing Erik Janża's pass.
Ultimately, the goal was allowed, but Górnik did not enjoy the lead for long. In the 13th minute, 17-year-old Wojciech Mońka brilliantly triggered Afonso Sousa with a through-ball pass, and the Portuguese did not intend to waste the advantageous situation. Being face to face with Michał Szromnik, he sent the ball past the helpless goalkeeper.
Those were hot minutes at the stadium in Zabrze. Just 60 seconds later, the score was 2-1 for the hosts. This time, Lukas Podolski made a through pass. Kamil Lukoszek took over the ball, ran with it a dozen or so meters, ran into the penalty area and with a very strong shot from his left foot, he gave Bartosz Mrozek no chance.
In the first half, fans could see a few more goals. Górnik tried to increase the lead – Podolski made a nice shot. In response, Haakans wasted a chance, and just before the break Ishmael blocked Ishak's shot, which would have surely found the net.
After the change of sides, the Swede was once again close to equalizing the score. After his free kick, the ball bounced off Kamil Lukoszek's back and misled Górnik's goalkeeper so badly that it almost rolled into the goal. Szromnik would have no chance to intervene.
After an hour games Jan Urban had a big problem. Rafał Janicki received a second yellow card, and consequently a red card, and Zabrze had to play weaker. Lech immediately started to make up for the losses. Patrik Walemaark boldly entered the penalty area, but his shot missed Górnik's goal.
The individual action was carried out by Antoni Kozubal. This time his shot was blocked by Josema. Ultimately, the result did not change. Despite everything, both teams can probably be satisfied with the first part of the 2024/25 season.
Lech Poznań has accumulated 38 points in 18 matches and will most likely end the year as the leader (it has three points advantage over Raków, but has a better goal balance – editor's note). Górnik has 30 points. Both teams already know who and when they will play their first matches in 2025.
Lech Poznań will host Widzew Łódź in a home match. This match is scheduled for January 31 at 8:30 p.m. Górnik Zabrze will play at home against Puszcza Niepołomice on February 2 at 12:15.
Górnik Zabrze 2:1 Lech Poznań (2:1)
- Goals: Luka Zahović' 5, Kamil Lukoszek' 14 – Afonso Sousa' 13
- Górnik Zabrze: Szromnik (gk) – Wojtuszek, Szcześniak, Janicki, Janża (k) (90+1' Ambros) – Ismaheel (62' Furukawa), Hellebrand, Rasak, Lukoszek – Podolski (62' Josema), Zahović (75' Bakis)
- coach: Jan Urban
- Lech Poznań: Mrozek – Pereira (71' Fabiema), Mońka, Milić, Gurgul – Kozubal (84' Jagiełło), Murawski (71' Szymczak) – Waalemark, Sousa, Haakans (60' Hotić) – Ishak (k)
- coach: Niels Frederiksen
- judged: Szymon Marciniak (Płock)
- yellow cards: Janicki – Mońka, Waalemark, Murawski, Sousa
- red card: Rafał Janicki' 60 – for two yellows