In a 2nd vs 3rd clash, Lech Poznan came out as 2-0 winners. They set up in a 4231 which was often a 4141 or 442 out of possession and a 343 in possession with the wingers tucked very narrow, the full backs providing with and a midfielder dropping between the centre backs. Their centre backs sat quite deep in buildup and this phase was slow and patient, usually focused down the right side. Piast were more direct, looking to exploit the right side.
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
Jakub Moder
Player profile:
- Nationality: Polish
- Age: 21
- Date of birth: 07/04/1999
- Current Club: Lech Poznan
- Career: Lech Poznan, Odra Opole (L)
- Position: Centre Midfield
- Preferred foot: Right
Moder played in the double pivot and often dropped between the centre backs in buildup. In deeper areas his passing was well-hit but didn’t progress the ball massively, however their structure was poor at times and lacked presence in midfield so Moder didn’t have many options. In higher areas he was able to break lines better and feed balls into the attacking players between the lines. Some of his shorter passes, particularly backwards ones lacked accuracy as his concentration dropped.
The Polish youth international stands 6’3 with a slim build that he could fill out. He has long legs and was strong in the tackle, able to poke the ball away well. He isn’t very mobile and can be quite heavy footed, not playing with a high intensity. This meant he wasn’t that effective 1v1 defensively as he lacked agility but was a strong defender in transition, making tackles from behind or the side. His anticipation was also quite good, playing as the lone defensive midfielder in the 4141 he occupied good spaces and was able to make some good interceptions.
After winning possession he wanted to play forwards quickly, mainly he looked to carry the ball forwards and drive at the defence. He isn’t a really technical dribbler but is a powerful runner who can burst into pockets of space, similar to Sander Berge, and with his tall build and good strength is hard to tackle. He tends to release the ball before being under too much pressure and progresses the ball well through this.
However, he also made some questionable decisions and his positioning could have been better at times. For example taking up wide positions when he should have been central or following the ball high aimlessly and then having a long way to recover, which he didn’t do that quickly.
Overall, Moder has a decent game but has some weaknesses to his game to sort. He’s likely to be on the move this summer and is a player who could do very well and I think he’d suit Italy quite well.
Rating – A1
Tymoteusz Puchacz
Player profile:
- Nationality: Polish
- Age: 21
- Date of birth: 23/01/1999
- Current Club: Lech Poznan
- Career: Lech Poznan, Zaglebie Sosnowiec (L), GKS Katowice (L)
- Position: Left Wing
- Secondary Position: Left Back / Right Wing
- Preferred foot: Left
The left back had a high position in buildup along the sideline and had a lot of space ahead of him due to Jozwiak constantly moving inside. He looked to charge to the byline and produced some good cut backs. His side’s buildup play was focused down the right but Puchacz offered a switching option to the left side that they weren’t quick enough to exploit at times. His final product was a bit inconsistent with a few first times crosses being poorly hit and not getting off the ground. He didn’t have many passes to make though and wasn’t used much in buildup, mainly keeping it simple.
Puchacz is 5’11 with a stocky build and okay strength, he used his body well but could have been stronger in some challenges. He is explosive with good top speed but wasn’t the most agile and his change of direction could have been better.
In defence he was a bit slow to regain his defensive position at times. He had good aggression in challenges and tended to dive in and go to ground too easily when he could have stayed on his feet more. Worked hard and was committed though and did okay in 1v1s but could have gotten tighter to his man at times. Once he won the ball he looked to carry the ball forwards well.
Rating – A2
Kamil Jozwiak
Player profile:
- Nationality: Polish
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 11/04/1998
- Current Club: Lech Poznan
- Career: Lech Poznan, GKS Katowice (L)
- Position: Right Wing
- Secondary Position: Left Wing
- Preferred foot: Right
Starting on the left wing, Jozwiak also switched to the right several times throughout the game. He had an extremely narrow position and wanted to move as centrally as possible. In the final third he was often right on the shoulder of the striker.
He was very direct and wanted to make things happen, coming across as quite selfish at times and always wanting to be involved. He made darting runs off the ball and wanted to use combination play between the lines and around the box.
He’s 5’9″ with a low centre of gravity and great acceleration and top speed. When in space he wanted to drive towards goal, he had quick reactions and could control the ball well at speed, using chops to avoid pressure and get round pressing defenders with quick changes of direction. He received the ball well under pressure and was able use his touch to beat his man.
Jozwiak was however a little one dimensional, he played at a very tempo and is a strong technical player who is a good athlete but sometimes rushed play and could have made better decisions to help his team in the opposition half.
Rating – B1
Jakub Kaminski
Player profile:
- Nationality: Polish
- Age: 18
- Date of birth: 05/06/2002
- Current Club: Lech Poznan
- Career: Lech Poznan
- Position: Right Wing
- Preferred foot: Left
Kaminski started on the right but moved to the left a bit. He drifted in and out of the game and had some quiet patches where he could have imposed himself of the game more. At 18 his inexperience was obvious but will have a lot of time to develop and become more comfortable at this level next season, especially out of possession where he looks a bit lost at times.
He used good combination play and linked with the right back well to progress the ball down the wing and get into space after isolating the opposition left back. But once in the final third, if the right back got ahead of him he became more static. He was very narrow when the ball was on the far side and showed some good dribbling with nice control but wasn’t that explosive on the ball.
A solid performance overall from the 18 year old who will only grow with experience and is talented but needs more senior level experience to really standout as a big prospect.
Rating – B2
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