Friendly: Lech Poznań – MŠK Žilina 2:1

Exactly 30 days had passed since Lech’s last match - on December 18^th, 2025, Niels Frederiksen’s squad defeated Sigma Olomouc 2:1 in an away clash, securing qualification for the next stage of the UEFA Europa Conference League, where they will face the Finnish club Kuopion Palloseura.

On Saturday afternoon in Dubai, Lech took on MŠK Žilina in their first friendly match of the winter training camp. For Frederiksen’s players, it was the first practice game, while for the Slovak side, it was already their second, and their second against a Polish team. A few days earlier, they had played Górnik Zabrze and lost 0:1.

As for Saturday’s friendly, the opening half hour did not produce many clear goal-scoring chances. That changed in the 30th minute, when Joel Pereira delivered a cross from the right flank into the penalty area. Pablo Rodríguez was close to getting on the end of it, but the Slovak goalkeeper was faster. Lech tried to break the deadlock, and both Mikael Ishak and João Moutinho had opportunities to change the score, but on two occasions, the guests’ defence did well.

As announced earlier by the coaching staff, the entire starting eleven was changed at half-time. Goalkeeper Plamen Andreev made his unofficial debut for Lech, replacing Bartosz Mrozek. The second half could have started perfectly for the Polish side - Robert Gumny crossed the ball into the box for the onrushing Yannick Agnero, but it deflected off the goalkeeper’s leg and went out for a corner.

Žilina’s goalkeeper was kept very busy after the break, as Frederiksen’s team created numerous chances. The rival’s defence denied efforts from Agnero and Ali Gholizadeh, whereas Robert Gumny’s close-range shot went wide.

With 15 minutes remaining, the scoreboard showed a draw… but it was 1:1. Gholizadeh opened the scoring by converting Michał Gurgul’s pass from the left flank. Shortly afterwards, however, the Slovaks equalised when Samuel Ďatko dribbled past Lech’s defenders and scored the first goal for his team this winter.

Lech continued to press, and their efforts paid off a few minutes before the final whistle. Filip Jagiełło’s long-range shot was blocked by a defender, with the ball falling at Luis Palma’s feet, and the latter didn’t miss. The ball found the net, and Lech’s offensive player gave himself a perfect present on his 26th birthday, sealing Lech’s victory in their first friendly of the Abu Dhabi training camp.

Lech continues preparing for the spring round, and their winter camp will culminate in two more practice matches. On January 24th, Frederiksen’s team will face AGMK Olmaliq at 9:00 AM Polish time, and later that day, at 2:00 PM, they will play FC Noah.

Lech Poznań – MŠK Žilina 2:1 (0:0)

Goals: Gholizadeh (68’), Palma (82’) – Ďatko (73’)
Yellow cards: Rodríguez, Gumny

Lech Poznań (first half):
Bartosz Mrozek – Joel Pereira, Patryk Prajsnar, Wojciech Mońka, João Moutinho – Antoni Kozubal, Karol Delikat – Taofeek Ismaheel, Pablo Rodríguez, Leo Bengtsson – Mikael Ishak

Lech Poznań (second half):
Plamen Andreev – Robert Gumny, Mateusz Skrzypczak, Antonio Milić, Michał Gurgul – Sammy Dudek, Filip Jagiełło – Ali Gholizadeh, Tymoteusz Gmur, Luis Palma – Yannick Agnero