On Saturday afternoon Lechia Gdansk traveled to Bruk-Bet Termalica Nieciecza for round 10 of the Ekstraklasa 2017/18 season.
Lechia are still facing problems in the league so far this season. However they have looked to be regaining confidence in previous matches. Saturday’s game should have been a relatively easy 3 points for Lechia. Bruk-Bet is sitting below Lechia at the bottom of the table having lost their previous four league games. Lechia find themselves in an unfamiliar 12th place going into this match. There were high hopes at the beginning of the season for Piotr Nowak’s side to be challenging for the title and at very least be siting in the top 6 at this stage. So far things haven’t worked out for Lechia this season though.
The Match
In the first 5 minutes Lipski had two great chances to put Lechia ahead but failed on both occasions. As I mentioned in my thoughts from the Jagiellonia match, Lechia are really letting themselves down by not putting away their chances. Lechia dominated the first 35 minutes with chances coming from Oliveira and Wolski.
Despite Lechia’s dominance there still looked to be no order in their play, both sides were very chaotic in their organisation. Dusan Kuciak once again came to the rescue of Lechia with a vital save after a Bruk-Bet corner just before half time.
Half Time 0:0
Second Half
Within 2 minutes of the second half kicking off Bartosz Szeliga defeats Kuciak to put the home side 1:0 up. Szeliga scored into an open goal after a free kick hit the crossbar, he quickly reacted and buried the rebound in the back of the net.
In the 58th minute Romario replaced Lipski. Just a minute later Wolski equalized for the visitors with a shot from about 25 meters. Wolski deserved this goal, he has been one of the best players on the pitch in recent games since returning to the squad from injury. 1:1.
Marco Paixao nearly put Lechia ahead in the 63rd minute but his header was defended by the Bruk-Bet captain. Romario had a decent chance in the 71st but the keeper wasn’t to be beaten that easily. Bruk-Bet seemed to get some confidence during the final 20 minutes and began to attack Lechia. In the 88th Romario was shown a straight red card for a harsh challenge on Bartosz Szeliga. It was a silly challenge but maybe a sign of frustration after another disappointing performance.
Worse was yet to come, in the 95th minute (last seconds of stoppage time) Bruk-Bet got a penalty after the referee decided that Marco Paixao handled the ball in the area. Replays clearly show that the ball hit Marco’s shoulder as he was trying his best to avoid it. Poor decision by the referee that cost Lechia Gdansk dearly. Bruk-bet made no mistake as he stepped up take the penalty and beat Kuciak 2:1.
Final Score 2:1.
The 3 points for Bruk-Bet took them out of the relegation zone and left Lechia Gdansk in 12th but now dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Post Match Press Conference
Coach Nowak didn’t have much to say in his post match press conference as it only lasted 45 seconds.
Marco Paixao commented on his handball decision: It’s a joke and it’s bad. I moved, yes, to block the ball, but I did not touch it with my hand. I am very angry and I feel hurt. It was not the best game we could do in our performance because we lacked efficiency in the first half. Nevertheless, we should take at least a point from this game but the penalty decision has deprived us of it (the point).
Next Match
Lechia Gdansk Vs Zaglebie Lubin – Saturday 30th September 15:30
