Gumny back after 200 days

On November 22nd 2019, Lech Poznań faced the current Polish Champions – Piast Gliwice – at home. In the 66^th minute, Robert Gumny left the pith gimping and he was replaced by Tomasz Dejewski. In the end, Lech beat Piast 3:0, however, their joy was dimmed by losing one of the key players. Gumny’s knee injury turned out to be very grave and after consultations with specialists from Rome and Zurich, the decision has been made for the defender to undergo surgery and go through a rehabilitation process. It meant that we wouldn’t see Gumny on the pitch again this season.

However, the break from football caused by the pandemic turned out to be a good thing for some of the players, including Lech’s right-back. If it wasn’t for the coronavirus, the league season would have been over by now. Still, we live in a different reality and as a result, we did get to see Gumny reappear on the pitch this season. “The plan was for me to play in the reserves and get some minutes but I did strain a muscle and in the end, we decided against it. We waited and at last, I did get to play for the senior team. In my opinion, I was capable of playing from the first minute, but the goal is to take it slow and gradually increase the time I spend on the pitch before I get to be a part of the starting line-up,” explained Gumny.

The clash with Pogoń Szczecin ended with a 4:0 win for the team from Poznań. Lech set the final score in the 61^st minute, therefore, the coaching staff decided to send in the young right-back for the last 20 minutes. No one expected this match to be ‘over’ so soon. “I think that we dominated Pogoń physically. You could say that they did disappoint whereas we performed better than expected. It wasn’t the same team that we faced previously this season. Usually, these matches are tough, however, this time we were much better. Surprisingly, it was an easy game,” said the right-back.

“Before the match, the coaching staff informed me that there is a chance I’d get 10-15 minutes. The score enabled the coaches to make this decision. Pogoń seemed to be waiting for this match to be over, hence both me and the staff felt that this was the right moment for me to reappear on the pitch. We knew that nothing bad could have happened and that we were in control of the game. It was a perfect opportunity for me to get back after such a long time,” said Gumny with a wide smile.

Whilst the right-back was undergoing rehabilitation and getting back in shape, Bohdan Butko joined Lech on loan. The Ukrainian is an experienced right-back that represented his country numerous times. Moreover, at the end of the season, Alan Czerwiński from Zagłębie Lubin – one of the top right-backs in the league – will become an official member of Lech’s squad. Finally, Gumny will get the rivalry he wanted. In the past, the young defender mentioned that the squad was missing right-backs that could substitute him in the starting line-up. “I am very happy to have so many great teammates to fight against. Rivalry can only make me a better player. Alan will be joining us soon which I am glad about too – that’s when I will have to really prove myself,” commented Gumny.

Over 6 months, 200 days to be exact – that’s how long Lech’s homegrown right-back had to wait to reappear on the pitch. We are all hoping that the worst is already behind him. Gumny’s return might prove crucial in the context of the intense league schedule which will require rotations in the squad. “Being back on the pitch felt amazing. I wouldn’t wish a 6-month break from football on neither my friends nor my enemies. I am glad that the match turned out the way it did and I could come in for the last few minutes. On the other hand, I am sad that we were playing without the fans but I’m still happy to be back and I am hoping that in the new few games I will get some more minutes,” emphasised the youngster.