Wieczysta Kraków - Lech Poznań 1:2

The new season has got off to an intense start for Niels Frederiksen’s side. In their opening fixture of the campaign, Lech beat Górnik Zabrze 3:1 to win the Polish Super Cup for the seventh time in the club’s history. They then began their European and league campaigns. The Champions League qualifiers did not go according to plan. Following a two-legged tie against Aarhus, which was decided on penalties, Lech were knocked out of the competition and will continue their European campaign in the third qualifying round of the Europa League. In between the two matches against the Danish side, they also opened their league season with a goalless draw against Cracovia.

Their next Polish opponent, Wieczysta Kraków, faced Radomiak in their first-ever Ekstraklasa match. In the away fixture, the Yellow and Blacks were forced to concede defeat to the Radom side, who took the lead shortly before halftime and doubled their advantage soon after the break. Although the newly promoted side managed to score a consolation goal, they were unable to find an equaliser.

From the very start, Lech were determined to take all three points back from Cracow. They created their first dangerous scoring chance as early as the fifth minute. Luis Palma delivered the ball from outside the penalty area, but Wieczysta's goalkeeper read the move well and prevented Allahyar Sayyadmanesh from turning it into a goal. Moments later, the hosts threatened near the edge of Lech’s penalty area. Tobias Christensen struck firmly from distance, but Mateusz Lis reacted smartly to keep the ball out.

In the 21st minute, following a cross and a scramble inside the penalty area, the ball fell to the Iranian winger once again. Sayyadmanesh attempted an overhead kick, but his effort bounced off the crossbar. The breakthrough finally arrived ten minutes before halftime, when Yannick Agnero found the back of the net. The Ivorian forward collected the ball just outside the penalty area, beat three opponents, and produced a perfect finish to open the scoring sheet.

The hosts went in search of an equaliser twice, but neither opportunity was good enough to trouble Frederiksen's players. In the 43rd minute, Pablo Rodríguez won the ball back, and it fell to Sayyadmanesh. The winger unleashed a powerful shot and, moments later, Lech were celebrating a second goal. Before the interval, Patrik Wålemark had a chance to extend the guests’ lead, but his effort didn't find the net.

The second half brought further chances at both ends. In the 57th minute, Pablo Rodríguez tested the goalkeeper with a shot on target, but Antoni Mikułko intervened comfortably. The hosts responded with an attack of their own, although, just like Lech, they failed to find the net. Agnero came close to scoring again, but his effort struck the post.

In the 66th minute, Lucas Piazon pulled one back for the hosts, beating Lech's goalkeeper with a header. In the closing stages, Lech continued to search for another goal to give themselves a more comfortable advantage. Wieczysta's goalkeeper made good saves when facing efforts from Daniel Hakans and Yannick Agnero. Meanwhile, Robert Gumny’s shot hit the post.

Next weekend, Lech will face Piast Gliwice at Bułgarska Street in a league fixture. Before then, however, Frederiksen's side will host KÍ Klaksvík, from the Faroe Islands, in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie.