In a 1st vs 5th clash, Legia Warsaw extended their lead at the top of the Ekstraklasa to 8 points with a 1-0 win over Lech Poznan. Legia played a 4-2-3-1 which dropped to a 4-4-2/4-2-2-2 out of possession in a mid block. They had the better chances within the game overall and deserved the three points, even though their goal was very lucky and down to a goalkeeping error which saw the ball loop into the crossbar and onto the leg of Pekhart leg on the goal line.
Ratings
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average in this match
Mateusz Wieteska
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Polish
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 11/02/1997
- Current Club: Legia Warsaw
- Career: Legia Warsaw (Y), Górnik Zabrze, Legia Warsaw
- Position: Centre Back
- Preferred foot: Right
Playing at the left centre half, the Polish youth international put in a mature performance. He was a calm, intelligent defender. His positioning was good and would organise the defence, however a big chance for Lech came from a throughball into the channel between the centre halves which was too big. He didn’t charge out of the line and maintained his position, pressing out into midfield when needed to compete in aerial duels which he did decently on the few times he was called upon. He read danger well and covered across when the left back was slow to track back.
In and around his penalty box he was showed intelligence and concentration. He had good body position, side on while facing up field. He constantly scanned and showed good marking in the box with his awareness and focus. He wasn’t exposed to defending in 1v1 situations but did show good strength and aggression at times, picking up a yellow for a rash professional foul on half way. He’s 6’2″ with a decent frame but not much muscle and showed average pace, however he was quite heavy footed and lacked explosiveness and agility. On the ball he was comfortable with sound passing technique but didn’t do much with it and wasn’t asked to either.
Rating – A2
Overall a mature performance from the young centre half who showed a good defensive skillset and mentality. He possibly lacks the athleticism but could be an effect of his being the first game back from lockdown. I’d need to see more of him on the ball as well.
Michal Karbownik
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Polish
- Age: 19
- Date of birth: 13/03/2001
- Current Club: Legia Warsaw
- Career: Legia Warsaw
- Position: Left Back
- Preferred foot: Left
He was an attacking full back who wanted to push high and get into the final third. He was very two footed, able to control the ball in tight spaces and manoeuvre the ball well using both feet and various parts of the foot. He made good runs into space and worked hard to support the attack, able to carry the ball into space. However, he wasn’t that direct and although he protected the ball well with good retention, he wasn’t strong 1v1 and could often end up spending too long on the ball or dribbling sideways. He had quick reactions using sharp movements of the ball with the outside of his boot to avoid tackles but weren’t that tight. He tried pass-and-move combinations and wanted to link up with the left winger through the midfield but slowed the tempo in the final third and struggled to get into crossing positions.
In buildup, if he couldn’t pass forward to his winger he played simple short passes. A few passes were cut out or straight into defenders shins from a few feet, panicking under pressure a little. He had a good burst of pace with good agility and change of direction, he stands 5’9″ with a slim frame and lacked physicality and aggression.
Defensively he was positioned too wide at times with no one on his outside and was too slow to track back. He enjoyed getting forward, but his recovery runs lacked the same intensity. In the defensive third he lost concentration badly, caught ball watching several times and seeming uninterested in defending in the final third.
Rating – B2
Karbownik is a promising young attacking full back. He’s very two footed which offers good tactical versatility and which could make him an appealing option for bigger clubs but had some weaknesses in this game that need addressing but I’d like to watch him again as he could easily be an A2 rating. He plays in a dominant side in Poland and could struggle to adapt to a team that asks him to defend more based off this performance but is worth watching again.
Luquinhas
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 28/09/1996
- Current Club: Legia Warsaw
- Career: Vilafranquense, Benfica, Desportivo Aves, Legia Warsaw
- Position: Attacking Midfielder
- Secondary Position: Left Wing
- Preferred foot: Right
Playing on the left wing, Luquinhas was the creative spark to this Legia side. The Brazilian is 5’7″ with a low centre of gravity and great agility. He’s good at avoiding pressure, able to turn with the ball easily and was good at shielding the ball with good technique even though he lacked physicality. He can manoeuvre the ball well and weaved round players in tight spaces but could have used more touches to keep it tighter. But he didn’t tend to beat his man at speed but was effective in tight spaces.
In the opposition half he pressed well and worked hard, getting frustrated when he pressed the ball and it went for a throw in. He also showed good vision and playmaking around the box, trying several risky but dangerous passes and did well to see runs into the box. Overall he showed to be a strong creative force for this level. He’s explosive and athletic but lightweight and very right footed.
Rating – B1
Radoslaw Majecki
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Polish
- Age: 20
- Date of birth: 16/11/1999
- Current Club: Legia Warsaw
- Career: Legia Warsaw, AS Monaco, Legia Warsaw (L)
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Preferred foot: Right
A fairly quiet game for Majecki, he made one key 1v1 save, coming off his line well. He was confident under the high ball, claiming several crosses which were fairly unopposed and he claimed a low cross well. His distribution was mainly short and his looked to get it out quickly to start counters the few times he could. Overall he wasn’t that involved but did everything you could have asked of him.
Rating – A1