Polish Cup: Wisła Cracow - Lech Poznań 2:4

The winter weather conditions made it harder for both sides to perform at their best. A large part of the pitch was not only covered with snow, but also frozen, which resulted in slow passes and unattractive football. Lech did not begin the match well. Despite controlling the play, the team from Poznan did not cause problems to Wisla’s defense line.

But as the minutes passed, Lech gradually got more and more goal scoring opportunities and it took the guests less than 20 minutes to set the score. Majewski was fouled in the penalty area and the referee awarded a penalty kick without hesitation. As usually it was Robak who converted the penalty kick into a goal. 8 minutes later it was already 2:0. Jevtic sent the ball to Makuszewski, who was left unmarked near the box and the latter sent the ball flying just below the crossbar and into the back of the net.

The 2 goals put Lech in a comfortable position. Wisla, in order to advance to the semifinals, would have to score 3 goals at least, but it seemed that Lech was closer to scoring another one than the hosts. In the 38th minute Makuszewski sent the ball to Jevtic, and the Swiss who was left one-against-one with the goalkeeper controlled the ball and sent it flying into the net. Robak had a similar goal scoring opportunity shortly afterward, but he was less successful than his teammate and his shot was stopped by the goalkeeper.

After halftime, the game changed completely and it didn’t take long for Wisla to score the first goal. Brlek got a good scoring opportunity and he beat Buric with a shot just below the crossbar. The goal ended Lech’s impressive series of 452 minutes without conceding a goal. Last time Lech did not end the match with a clean sheet was… against Wisla in the first leg of the quarterfinals.

The hosts were determined to catch up to their rivals. They needed to score 3 goals without conceding a single one. However, Mojta’s red card complicated the situation for Wisla. The defender received two yellow cards and was forced to leave the pitch. Playing in 10 men, Wisla had to remain cautious. One of Lech’s counterattack ended with Jevtic dribbling past two players and firing a shot, but his attempt wasn’t on target.

Nevertheless, Wisla showed their true character and in the 66th minute Malecki scored the second goal. Now the hosts were just 2 goals away from the semifinals. Lech, despite playing chaotically in the second half, converted one of its last scoring chances into a goal that secured them the promotion to the next round. Jozwiak received a pass from Kadar, raced into the box, passed the ball to Majewski who was left unmarked in the penalty area and the latter put the ball in the net.

WISŁA CRACOW - LECH POZNAŃ 2:4 (0:3)

Goals: Brlek (51), Małecki (66) - Robak (20), Makuszewski (28), Jevtić (38), Majewski (82)

Yellow cards: Mączyński, Mójta, Popović, Żemło, Małecki - Tetteh, Kędziora

Red cards: (Mójta – two yellow cards)

Wisła Cracow: Łukasz Załuska - Boban Jović, Piotr Żemło, Alan Uryga, Adam Mójta - Krzysztof Mączyński, Denis Popović (6. Jakub Bartosz) - Patryk Małecki, Petar Brlek, Rafał Boguski(80. Krzysztof Drzazga) - Paweł Brożek (70. Mateusz Zachara)

Lech Poznań: Jasmin Burić - Tomasz Kędziora, Lasse Nielsen, Jan Bednarek, Tamas Kadar - Abdul Aziz Tetteh, Maciej Gajos (86. Dariusz Dudka) - Maciej Makuszewski, Radosław Majewski, Darko Jevtić 68. Kamil Jóźwiak) - Marcin Robak (76. Dawid Kownacki)

Attendance: 10 507