Lech Poznań was the leader after the fall, and also just before the first whistle in Krakow, even despite the most dangerous rivals playing their matches. Maciej Skorża’s team (41 points) on Sunday could again be four points ahead of the second Pogoń Szczecin (40) and six points over the third Rakowo Częstochowa (38). For this to happen, “Kolejorz” had to defeat the local Cracovia (26) in Krakow, ninth in the table, which seems to be the team in the middle of the table, which this season will not fight for cups or get involved in the fight for maintenance.
A nice and bad start to Cracovia. Rakoczi’s goal irritated Amaral
Although Lech Poznań had the initiative from the beginning, this meeting started much better for Cracovia. In the 18th minute, after a corner kick, the ball fell in front of the penalty area to the legs of Michał Rakoczy, and the 20-year-old footballer of the hosts defeated Filip Bednarek with a stroke after a ricochet.
It turned out, however, that it was a nice, bad start for the hosts, because from that moment on, Cracovia was totally dominated by the leader of the league. The favorable result for several minutes was maintained by its goalkeeper Karol Niemczycki, who perfectly defended Joao Amaral’s shot and Pedro Rebocho’s free-kick, and then perfectly bounced the ball after a shot by Mikael Ishak’s head.
In the 30th minute nothing saved Cracovia, when after a great pass from Ishak Amaral showed an even better reception and went alone with Niemczycki, to defeat the Cracovia goalkeeper with a flat shot and bring them to an even level. Before the break, Jakub Kamiński tried to surprise with a strong shot from a distance, but the goalkeeper of “Pasów” bounced the ball.
The second half started with a well-deserved second goal for the visitors. This time Amaral got the ball in the penalty area behind the back line and played it in front of the goal to Jakub Kamiński, who completed the formalities up close and gave Lech the lead.
What’s more, 20 minutes later it was already 3: 1 for “Kolejorz”, again thanks to the assistance of Mikael Ishak and the winning duel between Joao Amaral and Karol Niemczycki. The Portuguese ended the match with two goals and an assist and seemed to have secured his team a victory by the same token.
A great chase for “The Belts”. The substitutes saved the point
Cracovia, however, did not give up. In the 77th minute, after Sergiu Hanka’s cross, the substitute Jakub Myszor hit the net close-up and the hosts returned to the game for league points. Michal Siplak could equalize directly from the corner kick, but after his center shot the ball hit the crossbar of Bednarek’s goal.
“Belts” pressed the leader and consistently strived to equalize. In the 89th minute, coach Jacek Zieliński let another substitute Filip Balaj onto the pitch and the same Balaj one minute later used Myszor’s center, with a precise head shot, leading to a 3-3 draw.
After the great spectacle, Cracovia finally drew with Lech Poznań 3: 3. This means that Lech’s advantage over the second Pogoń Szczecin is only two points. Cracovia remains ninth with 27 points.
Source: Sport
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
