Villarreal CF – Lech Poznań 4:3

Before the match in Valencia – where Villarreal is currently playing their games whilst their home ground is being renovated – everyone predicted that Lech would go back to Poland without a single point. After all, they were facing last year’s Champions League semi-finalists and the winners of the Europa League from 2021.

Therefore, there is no surprise that the Spanish supporters gathered in Valencia fell silent when, in the 2^nd minute, Michał Skóraś placed the ball in the back of the net. The conceded goal visibly frustrated the hosts and resulted in even more pressure on Lech’s defensive line. In the last 15 minutes of the first half, Villarreal not only equalized but also scored two more goals, presenting their impressive skills and showing everyone who the favorite in this clash is.

Just when it seemed that Lech would be unable to bounce back, shortly after the break, Mikael Ishak converted a penalty kick – awarded to Lech following a handball – into a goal. In the 62^nd minute, the side from Poznań scored the third goal, once again thanks to Ishak.

For the next minutes, the Spaniards attacked with even higher intensity whereas the guests defended smartly and waited for opportunities to counterattack. It seemed that this strategy might have paid off and got Lech an important point. However, just one minute before the added time, Francis Coquelin beat Filip Bednarek with a shot from outside the box. Antonio Milić came close to equalizing in the injury time, however, his attempt was successfully stopped by Villarreal’s goalkeeper.

In the end, it was the Spanish side that triumphed 4:3, however, the Polish squad delivered a great performance for which they were rewarded by applause coming from the guests' sector as well as the Spanish supporters.

Lech’s next Europa Conference League clash with scheduled for next Thursday – that’s when they will face Austria Vienna at home.

Villarreal CF – Lech Poznań 4:3 (3:1)

Goals: Chukwueze (32.), Alex Baena (34., 39.), Coquelin (89.) – Skóraś (2.), Ishak (47.-z karnego, 62.)

Villarreal: Jorgensen - Dela (64. Kiko Femenia), Mandi, Cuenca, Mojica – Chukwueze (80. Yeremy), Coquelin, Morlanes (64. Parejo), Trigueros (46. Jackson) - Alex Baena, Morales (64. Gerard Moreno)

Lech: Bednarek - Pereira, Dagerstal, Milić, Rebocho - Amaral (71. Szymczak), Karlstrom, Murawski, Kvekveskiri (90. Sousa), Skóraś (78. Tsitaishvili) - Ishak (78. Velde)