Lech Poznan has announced its starting lineup for the decisive away leg against FC Thun in Europa League qualifying. According to Meczyki.pl, manager Niels Frederiksen has made several rotations to his starting eleven for the return match in Switzerland.
Holding a 7:0 lead from the first leg, Lech is on the verge of the group stage. The match squad is missing injured striker Mikael Ishak, with Yannick Agnero taking his place as the central forward. Gustav Berggren and Daniel Hakans, who scored in the first match, return to the starting lineup.
What is Lech's lineup for the match against Thun?
Manager Frederiksen has opted for rotation, giving chances to several players. Filip Lis will start in goal. The defensive line consists of Robert Gumny, Mateusz Skrzypczak, Filip Mońka, and Bartosz Gurgul. The midfield is formed by Filip Kozubal, Gustav Berggren, and Michał Palma. The attacking trio will be Daniel Hakans, Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, and Yannick Agnero.
FC Thun's lineup for this match is Spycher - Dahler, Passavant, Burki, Strannegard - Maier, Saiz, Zoukit, Derbaci - Lengen, Dursun. The Swiss side must overcome a seven-goal deficit to have any hope of progression, a near-impossible task. Lech Poznan can confidently look ahead to the standings of their potential Europa League group.
Why is qualification important for Lech?
Reaching the Europa League group stage brings significant financial and prestige benefits for the club. It also guarantees European football throughout the autumn, which is vital for the development of young players. The Poznan-based club is a regular in European competitions, and this revenue is important for the budget.
Lech currently holds a strong position in the Ekstraklasa, as visible on our standings page. Participation in the Europa League group stage would strengthen the club's UEFA coefficient, potentially aiding future draws. It also offers fans the prospect of more exciting European nights.
Which key players are missing?
The main absence from the squad for the trip to Switzerland is Mikael Ishak. The Swedish striker is still recovering from a muscle injury. His absence is noticeable, but Yannick Agnero has the opportunity to prove himself as the main attacking focal point.
The rest of the squad is fully fit, and the current team roster can be checked on our squad page. Ishak's injury is unlikely to threaten qualification, given the comfortable lead from the first leg. The club has good squad depth, which is an advantage at this stage of the season.
What's next for Lech this season?
Immediately after the Thun match, Lech will return to domestic duties. The next challenge will be a league fixture, the date of which can be found in our fixtures. Qualification for the Europa League group stage would provide the club with financial security for further reinforcements and academy development.
Thanks to the 7:0 victory in the first leg, Lech Poznan has virtually guaranteed its progression. Frederiksen's team can focus on executing a professional performance in Switzerland and preparing for important Ekstraklasa matches. Fans can already start planning European travels for the autumn.
