Lechia Gdansk consolidates leadership with defenders’ goals

Defenders Augustyn and Nalepa were the scorers for Lechia in a 2:0 win over third-ranked Piast in round 27 of Ekstraklasa. After Legia’s defeat in Krakow on Sunday, White and Greens have again a five-point advantage in the leadership this before the away clash with rival Arka Gdynia in the next round of the championship.

Five points of advantage

Lechia Gdansk maintained the leadership in Ekstraklasa after a 2:0 win at home on Friday over Piast Gliwice. What’s more, they now have a five-point advantage over second-ranked Legia again. This happened after Warsaw’s team lost on Sunday by 4:0 at Wisla Krakow.

Lechia Gdansk – Piast Gliwice

White and Greens got the advantage in the sixth minute when defender Augustyn shot from outside of the box after an incomplete save by keeper Plach. Piast’s keeper kept Flavio Paixao from reaching the ball, but bounced it for the successful shot by unmarked Augustyn.

Piast, now ten points away from leaders, still answered to Lechia’s goal with a good shot by Jodlowiec in the 10^th minute to which Kuciak was still able to save to corner, but it was Lechia that got even more in the front. After a free kick in the 33^rd minute, Mladenovic’s cross found unmarked Nalepa for the 2:0.

Four minutes before the break, Piast had everything to get the contact goal at least. Kuciak first proved Parzyszek’s shot to be unsuccessful with a superb save though. Right after that, Hateley with a great pass put Parzyszek face-to-face with Lechia’s keeper but that wasn’t enough for the goal.

Second half

In the first seconds of the second half, Lechia was close to 3:0 but Lukasik shot on goal was stopped by keeper Plach. On the rebound, Haraslin still forced Plach to a new save, but the ball was then controlled by Piast’s players.

After that, Piast had a superb opportunity to reduce the disadvantage in the 52^nd minute. Inside the box after a quick move by Gliwice’s players, Parzyszek shot out of the reach for Kuciak, however, the bar returned the shot not allowing Piast to get the 2:1.

Five minutes after, two good chances for Piast. First, Jodlowiec shot to a great save by Kuciak and, on the rebound, it was Parzyszek that missed the goal with a shot over the bar. Right after that, Felix received a ball from the right but shot wide when it was in a good position to do better.

In the dying minutes of the match, in a quick move by Lechia’s players, Paixao served Sobiech but keeper Plach was able to save the shot. On the other side, there was still time for another good opportunity, but substitute Papadopulos’ header was stopped by Kuciak just before the final whistle.

Next match

On the 28th round of Ekstraklasa, Lechia faces rival Arka Gdynia in a game between a team fighting to maintain the leadership and another that fights to keep itself away from the relegation zone after 11 consecutive games without a win in Polish championship.