With this exhausted draw in Warsaw and victory in two matches (4:3)one can also risk the thesis that Legia Warsaw, by eliminating Brondby Copenhagen from the European cups, made the most important step in these qualifications to enjoy playing in Europe until the end of the year. Because they did not have and will not have such a difficult rival in Europe during the holidays. At least that is the theory.
This round's most electrifying pair and toughest opponent?
Looking at the pairings of the 3rd round of the Conference League qualifiers, probably more than one fan, even a fairly well-acquainted with football, had to check where Larne FC, Noah, or Ilves (from Northern Ireland, Armenia, and Finland respectively) are from. The competition in this qualifying phase, in the third most important European cup, let's be gentle, does not arouse any major emotions. The results of the clashes between Sabah Baku and St. Patrick or Mornar and Paks were probably mainly of interest to bookmaker enthusiasts.
In the 26 matches of this round, of course, you could find a few bigger brands or teams that have recently played in the Champions League (FC Copenhagen, KAA Gent), but in general, the combination of Legia and Brondby was eye-catching, despite the Poles' placement in this round. It was a matchup of the 15-time Polish champion with the 11-time Danish champion, teams that no one in Europe needs to Google. A meeting of teams from large centers and leagues that compete for the top 15 of the UEFA ranking. The Danes have been hanging around it for years, and the Poles are systematically approaching it. Let us recall that the TOP 15 gives the right to field an additional team in the Champions League qualifiers, i.e. a total of five teams in the game for Europe.
The importance of this rivalry was also expressed by the fight for the result. The first match of these teams in Copenhagen was the one in which the result of the competition changed the most of all the matches and the second in which the most goals were scored of all the matches of the qualifications for the LK. Seven goals in the first match Paide – Hacken (1:6) showed the difference in class of the teams from Estonia and Sweden.
The second Polish-Danish clash, however, was not pleasant for Legia. Maybe because of the temporary slump of the Warsaw team, which is also visible in the Ekstraklasa. After the first few minutes, when the Warsaw team passed the ball around, the guests took the initiative. Completely. Only they had the knack for shooting at goal (in those it was 10 to 1 in the first half), only they created dangerous situations and it seemed that only they could… pass accurately. The losses that the Legia players recorded in this part of the match were reprehensible. Claude Goncalves was the star in this, and unfortunately not far from his own penalty area. Apart from that, long clearances by defenders to nobody were common, or Tobiasz kicking the ball into the opponent's half to the visitors, whose defenders were standing there. It was a sad match for long moments for the fans, and for 96 minutes a very nervous match.
PublishLegion seemed to be helpless. She saved her skin after the only set piece, when in a very difficult situation the ball's trajectory was changed by Radovan Pankov with the back of his head.
Legia crossed out one Danish team that Poland competes with in the ranking
Let's emphasize it again, it wasn't a good match for Legia. It was an irritating match at times, showing a lack of agency, distraction, but also less commitment and a desire to fight for Europe – especially in the first half. It was as if Legia lived in the belief that since Brondby didn't win any of the last 11 away matches in the cups, nothing surprising would happen in Warsaw. In the second half, the hosts were a bit better, with a chance for the winning goal after a counterattack by Ryoya Morishita. Bartosz Kapustka and Luquinhas were also more active, but it's hard to praise anyone after this match except Legia's goalkeeper Kacper Tobiasz, who saved everything he needed to except for the penalty. For Europe, it seems a bit too little for now. That's not important now.
The most important thing in this clash was the matter of promotion. This ended successfully not only for Legia, but also for the whole of Poland. Goncalo Feio's team separated Denmark from one of the teams that could collect points for the Danish league this fall. In this league, Poland will compete for the TOP 15 ranking in the next two years. Especially since other Danish teams are uncertain about their existence in Europe.
Of course, for Legia this does not mean the end of the qualifiers yet, but it does mean a big step towards the European cups being held in Warsaw in the autumn.
In the 4th round of the qualifiers, Legia will face the better of the pair Auda Kekava (Latvia) – Drita Gnjilane (Kosovo). The rival from Latvia is closer to advancing. The rival is so little known that probably most fans in Poland will also check him in search engines. However, here, before the 4th round, we also have to put an asterisk. Because, for example, the somewhat mysterious Noah from Armenia, about whom we wrote at the beginning, is currently beating AEK Athens and is one step away from the final round of the Conference League qualifiers.
It would be good for Legia to remember such things during their next two matches.