Autumn round review: youth players

Michał Gurgul has enjoyed one of the best rounds of his career. The Academy player won the competition with João Moutinho and proved to be a crucial figure in Lech’s defensive line. Since the beginning of November, the 19-year-old has been a part of every starting line-up, featuring for a full 90 minutes in most games. The defender ends the first part of the season with three assists, recorded across three different competitions. He added one more in the final match of the year, when he headed the ball to Mikael Ishak, who beat the Sigma Olomouc goalkeeper with a superb strike. Alongside Gurgul, Wojciech Mońka also earned his place in the first XI. The centre-back got a spot in Lech’s starting line-up at the end of November and took the defence to a higher level. Since the 18-year-old began starting regularly, Niels Frederiksen’s team have been conceding fewer goals and have kept three clean sheets.

Meanwhile, another youth player - Kornel Lisman – appeared in 20 matches. The winger was given opportunities in both the PKO BP Ekstraklasa and European competitions. In those games, the winger scored one goal and provided one assist. The 19-year-old netted his only goal in the Europa League qualifying play-offs, beating the KRC Genk goalkeeper with an impressive strike from a tight angle. Sammy Dudek, Kamil Jakóbczyk and Bartłomiej Barański each made one appearance. The first was given his chance in the Polish Cup against Gryf Słupsk, whereas the striker made his debut for the senior team against Arka Gdynia. Meanwhile, the midfielder featured in the away match against KRC Genk.

YOUTH PLAYERS’ RECORD IN THE SPRING ROUND

PKO BP Ekstraklasa:

• Michał Gurgul – 14 matches, 999 minutes, 1 assist
• Kornel Lisman – 13 matches, 368 minutes, 1 assist
• Wojciech Mońka – 4 matches, 360 minutes
• Kamil Jakóbczyk – 1 match, 8 minutes

European competitions:

• Michał Gurgul – 9 matches, 699 minutes, 2 assists
• Wojciech Mońka – 7 matches, 604 minutes
• Kornel Lisman – 7 matches, 256 minutes
• Bartłomiej Barański – 1 match, 20 minutes

Polish Cup:

• Michał Gurgul – 2 matches, 180 minutes
• Wojciech Mońka – 1 match, 90 minutes
• Sammy Dudek – 1 match, 7 minutes