Lech Poznań - NK Maribor 3:0

Similarily to the previous training games, on Tuesday Lech faced a rival that was ranked very high in their local top division. NK Maribor are not only currently occupying the third spot in PrvaLiga, but they have also been crowned champions at the end of the previous campaign. For the Slovenians, it was the first training match of the winter break.

Lech’s looked well in the opening minutes. They played the ball from the back and managed to visit Maribor’s penalty area regularly. Puchacz and Moder were extraordinarily active on the left flank, but their enthusiasm and determination didn’t have an impact on the score. Meanwhile, NK Maribor managed to surprise Lech with a counterattack. Rudi Pozeg Vancas had a perfect chance to score but he missed from up close. A moment later, van der Hart was forced to intervene when one of Maribor’s players sent a flat shot at the goal.

30 minutes into the game, Lech finally managed to convert one of their goal-scoring chances into a shot on target. It was Moder who tested the goalkeeper’s caution, but the shot wasn’t problematic at all. The same player received a great pass from Tiba a few minutes later, however, this time his attempt was simply off target. A goal for Lech seemed to be a matter of time. Shortly before halftime, Tiba opened the scoresheet with a smart shot that helped his team gain an important advantage before the break.

A few moments after the referee resumed the match, Lech managed to change the score to 2:0. This time is was Šatka who found the back of the net with a header that followed a great pass from Gytkjaer. The Polish team clearly dominated on the pitch and they weren’t going to take it easy, even with a two-goal advantage. Lech kept on creating numerous goal-scoring opportunities. In the 52nd minute, Tiba came close to grabbing a double and even though he missed, within a few minutes he was celebrating with his teammates again. Marchwinski was fouled in the box, hence the referee awarded Lech with a penalty kick that Gytkjaer effortlessly converted into the third goal.

Maribor decided to give it all since they had nothing more to lose. The Slovenians came close to scoring a goal in the 64^th minute when Kronaveter’s impressive volley flew just a couple of centimetres next to the post. On the other end of the pitch, Lech kept on causing problems to Maribor’s defensive line. First, Puchacz’s attempt from a free kick was successfully stopped by the goalkeeper, and then Gytkjaer and Letniowski both wasted decent scoring opportunities. Szymczak, who came on the pitch in the second half, also had a chance to add a goal of his own, but his successful attempt was disallowed due to an offside.

The match ended with a 3:0 win for the Polish players. It was the last training match held in Turkey. On Wednesday, Lech will return to Poznan to prepare for the upcoming home league clash against Raków Częstochowa which is scheduled for February 8^th, 5:30 pm.

Lech Poznań – NK Maribor 3:0 (1:0)

Goals: Tiba (43.), Šatka (49.), Gytkjaer (55. – penalty)

Lech Poznań: Mickey van der Hart – Jakub Kamiński, Lubomir Šatka, Thomas Rogne (46. Djordje Crnomarković), Tymoteusz Puchacz – Juliusz Letniowski, Karlo Muhar, Pedro Tiba, Jakub Moder – Filip Marchwiński – Christian Gytkjaer (81. Filip Szymczak)

NK Maribor (starting line-up): Kenan Pirić – Martin Milec, Spiro Pericić, Luka Koblar, Zan Kolmanić – Jasmin Mesanović, Alexandru Cretu, Aleks Pihler, Rudi Pozeg Vancas – Marcos Tavares, Luka Zahović