In Saturday’s game of two teams from the relegation zone, the last Termalica Brut-Bet Nieciecza drew with the penultimate 0-0. The level of the match reflected the positions of both teams in the league table, and the draw did not make anyone happy. Both teams took another step towards relegating from the league.
The reason for the disgrace of Legia is obvious – chaos in the offices
Legia has been failing since the beginning of the season, but in the fall it could be explained by the necessity to perform in European cups. A necessity, because for Polish teams the competition in Europe seems to be a curse. Their frames are too narrow to appear on several fronts. Last season, Lech found out about it, today Legia is brutally convinced.
Of course, our teams could build wider staff, but this is what you need to have appropriate specialists among those responsible for management. The owner and president of Legia, Dariusz Mioduski, reflected and at the end of December dismissed the criticized sports director, Radosław Kucharski. He did it, however, way too late.
Kucharski’s tenure is difficult to clearly assess, but the last summer transfer window was dramatic for Legia. Lirim Kastrati, Igor Kharatin, Lindsay Rose, Joel Abu Hanna, Yuri Ribeiro, Mahir Emreli, Mattias Johansson – none of them confirmed that they deserve to play for the Polish champion. In addition, there are many voices that Mioduski himself should give the chairmanship to a man with more experience in this role.
Reinforcements are missing
Kucharski was replaced by Jacek Zieliński, who dealt with almost everything on Łazienkowska Street and was probably surprised himself that in the end Mioduski gave him more power. However, the moment of changing the director was fatal – just before the start of the winter transfer window. Effect? No expected buffs that the team needs like oxygen today. Only Paweł Wszołek and Richard Strebinger came. Wszołek returned from Union Berlin, where he practically did not play. This type of transfer seemed natural for several weeks.
Time is running out and Legia is very weak in terms of staff. She seems unprepared to fight for a livelihood. In winter she lost two important players – Mahir Emreli left for Dinama Zagreb, Luqinhas for New York Red Bull. Two very valuable players left the club. The absence of Emreli further weakened the competition in such a mediocre attack by the Legion. The absence of Luqinhas is a blow to the very heart of the team. The Brazilian was the main responsible for creating the game. In his absence, this role had to be taken over by Josue. It is sometimes better, sometimes worse, but everyone is aware that the 31-year-old Portuguese would not make a career in any major league in Europe.
Transfer out of desperation
Legia is looking in the dark. The most recent example is Richard Strebinger, who joined Legia on Sunday. He is a 29-year-old Austrian goalkeeper who spent most of his career in Rapida Vienna. He also played in Germany in the lower leagues in the second teams of Hertha Berlin, Werder Bremen or Jahn Regensburg.
Two years ago, Streibinger suffered a serious head injury and had to wear a helmet. Three years ago, he also had heart problems. He played his last match in September 2021. Then he was sidelined due to a back injury. Is anyone surprised that Rapid wanted to get rid of such a player?
Legia is desperate. Artur Boruc has been suspended and will not play in the upcoming games. And the younger successors – Cezary Miszta and Kacper Tobiasz – do not guarantee peace in the goal. Hence the idea of bringing in Strebinger susceptible to injuries.
What’s next?
The Legion lost Emreli and Luqinhas at their own request. These are the two players who suffered the most damage after the recent attack by hooligans on the Legia coach. After this incident, they did not want to stay in Warsaw anymore. On Saturday, after the match against Termalika, the supporters of the Polish champions again vented their anger. “Do I remind you rags to talk on the bus?” -.
It is also hard to say that Aleksandar Vuković as a coach gives hope for a better future. After returning to the Legia bench, Vuković beat Zagłębie Lubin (twice), lost to Radomiak, Warta (both home matches) and tied goalless with Termalika away. Nothing special.
And more difficult meetings are coming. In the next round, the competition in the capital with Wisła Kraków, which is also involved in the fight for relegation (15th place, two points more than Legia). A few days later, the legionnaires will face the Polish Cup quarter-final with Górnik Łęczna. This is the only way for the players of Legia to participate in the qualifying rounds of European cups next season. But how to think about Europe, when the Polish champions’ footballers are faced with the specter of decline – a real disgrace?
The defeat of the Legion would be historic. Wins with Spartak or Leicester in the fall, now the team from Warsaw is heading straight for hell, which will be a relegation from the league for him. Legia is the only football team that has never been relegated from the top league after the war. Dariusz Mioduski would go down in the history of the club as the one who led to such a collapse. In order for this not to happen, an alarm siren must finally sound in Warsaw.
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.
