Hat trick hero Paixao keeps title dreams alive

In Gdansk, Sport

Lechia Gdansk hosted Jagiellonia Bialystok at the Stadium Energa on Wednesday 17th May at 18:00.

Lechia went into the match in 4th place in the championship group of the Lotto Ekstraklasa with league leaders Jagiellonia Bialystok just 3 points ahead. With the goalless draw on Sunday against Korona Kielce, Lechia had to win this match if they were to keep their title dreams alive.

Coach Nowak went with a classic 4-4-2 formation but with Wolski sitting behind Marco Paixao up front while Jagiellonia played more of a diamond formation with their in form Irish striker, Cillian Sheridan, playing a key role up front. This was all set to be a big test for Lechia keeper Kuciak, could he continue his recent form with another clean sheet.

The Match

15,025 Lechia fans watched as the teams took to the pitch. With the formalities out of the way the match kicked off.

Jagiellonia started really well, creating chances and testing the Lechia defenders but in the 16th minute Ziggy Gordon fouled Slawomir Peszko in the Jagiellonia penalty area and the referee didn’t hesitate to point to the spot, penalty to Lechia! Marco Paixao stepped up and slotted home his first of the evening and 13th of the season – 1:0. Just 8 minutes later Lechia were awarded another penalty after Jakub Wawrzyniak was restrained in box by Arvydas Novikovas and it was that man Marco Paixao who stepped up and had no problem putting the ball in the back of the net to score his 2nd of the night and 14th of the season – 2:0. The first penalty decision was correct but the second was dubious.

Marco Paixao has now broken Czeslawa Nowickiego’s 1960 season record of 13 gold for Lechia.

The first half was played with pace and confidence from Lechia but Jagiellonia did have a few dangerous chances which tested Kuciak.

First Half 2:0

Just 3 minutes into the second half, after a perfect pass from Slawomir Peszko, Marco Paixao hit his hat trick and extended his newly broken record – 3:0.

Lechia went on to pretty much dominate the second half and even managed to extend their lead in the 89th minute with a great solo goal from Lukas Haraslin.

Final Score 4:0

Lechia are still 4th place in the championship group but only 2 points behind new league leaders Legia Warszawa. It’s still all to play for between Lechia, Bialystok, Poznan and Warszawa. The top 3 at the end of the season will play European competition next season.

Man of the match

My man of the match goes to Marco Paixao

Next Match

There are now only 3 matches left to the end of the season:

Lech Poznan Vs Lechia – Sunday 21st May at 15:30

Lechia Vs Pogon Szczecin – Sunday 28th May at 18:00 (last home game of the season)

Legia Warszawa Vs Lechia- Sunday 4th June at 18:00

Post Match

Coach Nowak made the following comments in his post match press conference:

‘We did not start this match well, Jagiellonia created a situation that fortunately Dusan saved well. We had a problem with Jagiellonia on the right wing, but Lukas Harasli­n did well with Milos Krasic and Simeon Slawczew and we began our game – said Nowak. – The goals scored allowed us to control the meeting. During the break, it was important to maintain concentration and we have succeeded. After play resumed, we have gained a great goal after an attack. We missed this in a meeting with the Korona, but learned the lessons and our game against Jagiellonia functioned differently. The team maintained mental balance against Jagiellonia – Lechia coach added.’

‘We found a way to expose the good side of Lukas Haraslin, the speed and agility on the defensive and creativity in attack. I think this might be our Dani Alves, who plays very well in defence and has a string to the front. It is a pity that Lukas got a fourth yellow card and will not be able to play in the next Match’