"Determination is key"

In the latest league game, Lech drew 1:1 with Pogon Szczecin. The team from Poznan was able to pull one goal back in the closing minutes of the game when Kamil Drygas accidentally placed the ball in his own net following Tiba’s great individual run.

“Despite conceding a goal against Pogon, we managed to come back and the team should be praised for that. In this particular match, we were a bit lucky considering that the rival was winning 1:0 only at halftime which made it easier for us to fight for points. I am glad we succeeded,” added Rafal Janicki who also plays in Lech’s defensive line.

“Players who are capable of turning around a score, whether at home or away, deserve respect and praise. Such achievements boost team morale and show that the squad has character which is reflected on the pitch,” explained Karol Bartkowiak, Lech’s assistant coach.

It’s not the first time this season that Lech successfully turns around a score. In the past two matches, coach Zuraw’s squad scored goals in the closing minutes of the game which enabled them to equalize against Jagiellonia Bialystok (Zhamaletdinov, 77’) and win the home clash with Legia Warsaw (Marchwinski, 81’).

“It’s an interesting pattern but it’s hard to explain. I think the reason for that is we fight until the very end because we want to prove that we are a good team. In addition, every one of us wants to show our individual potential, hence the fact that we’ve been able to pull back points recently shouldn’t surprise anyone,” said Volodymyr Kostevych, Lech’s left-back.

In the last two matches, it’s the substitute players that scored winners for the team from Poznan. In the clash with Pogon Szczecin, there was a significant difference between Lech’s performance in the first and second half which was a result of coaching staff’s tactical decisions.

“The team’s determination and ambition are key, but the coaching staff’s reaction to what’s happening on the pitch is also crucial. Throughout the duration of a game, we observe closely our performance, as well as the opponent’s, and adjust the formation and tactics accordingly in order to have a desired impact on the team,” summarized coach Bartkowiak.