Dinamo Batumi – Lech Poznań 1:1

Lech’s promotion to the third round of the qualifiers was decided in the first leg – the players from Poznań defeated Batumi 5:0 and made it practically impossible for the Georgian side to turn the tables in the second leg.

However, Dinamo’s fans didn’t lose hope after the first match, and they filled in the stands of Adjarabet Arena. The hosts’ every offensive attempt was accompanied by very loud support. Coach John van den Brom was well-aware that even despite the confident win in the first leg, the opponent couldn’t be underestimated, hence he sent in his best starting line-up. The only key player missing on the pitch was Mikael Ishak who was given an opportunity to rest. Lubomir Satka replaced the Swede as the captain.

The loud support coming from the stands would suggest that the first 45 minutes were exhilarating, but in fact, it was quite the opposite – not much happened in the first half. Dinamo didn’t have an idea how to beat Lech’s solid defensive line, whereas Lech’s counterattacks were too slow to surprise the Georgians. As a result, neither of the sides how the back of the net.

Following halftime, Batumi regained hope after Mate Vatsadze beat Artur Rudko and changed the score. However, the Georgians’ joy didn’t last long as 13 minutes later, Alan Czerwiński who had just come on the pitch, equalized with a precise shot from outside the box. The goal seemed to have demotivated Batumi and both teams awaited the final whistle without putting much effort into the offense. When the referee finished the match, it was Lech that celebrated the promotion to the next qualifying round.

In the third stage of Europa Conference League qualifiers, the team from Poznań will face Vikingur Reykjavik. The first game is scheduled for August 4^th, and it will take place in Iceland. The second leg will be played in Poznań a week later.

Dinamo Batumi – Lech Poznań 1:1 (0:0)

Goals: Mate Vatsadze (64.) – Alan Czerwiński (76.)