Polish football clubs, Lech Poznań and Raków Częstochowa, have learned their opponents in the Europa Conference League round of 16. The draw in Nyon paired the Polish champions with Ukrainian Shakhtar Donetsk, while the team from Częstochowa will face Italian Fiorentina. The event sparked a wave of commentary, especially in the context of the Shakhtar coach's reluctance to play home matches in Poland, where his team has been hosting games so far.

Lech to Face Shakhtar

The Polish champions drew Ukrainian Shakhtar Donetsk, sparking controversy over the venue for Lech's away match.

Fiorentina as Raków's Opponent

The team from Częstochowa faces a difficult challenge against the prestigious club from Italian Florence.

Shakhtar Coach's Protest

The Ukrainian team's coach appealed to UEFA to change the match location so as not to play against Poles in Poland.

Rise in the National Ranking

The good performance of the two clubs allows Poland to realistically think about improving its position in the UEFA country ranking.

Polish club football is experiencing one of its best periods in recent years, evidenced by the presence of two representatives in the round of 16 of the Europa Conference League. The fates of Lech Poznań and Raków Częstochowa were decided during the official draw in Swiss Nyon. The Poznań team drew Shakhtar Donetsk, which sparked particular emotions due to the unusual situation of the Ukrainian club. Due to the ongoing Russian aggression, Shakhtar has been playing its home matches on stadiums in Poland for a long time. However, the coach of the Ukrainian team has publicly expressed reluctance to play again in our country against a Polish team, petitioning UEFA to move the match to neutral ground outside the borders of the Republic of Poland. The second Polish representative, Raków Częstochowa, will face the prestigious Italian Fiorentina. Experts and bookmakers assess this task as extremely demanding, although the media point to the ambitious approach of the Częstochowa staff, who are not afraid of a clash with a Serie A representative. The advancement of both teams to this stage of the competition has a tangible impact on the UEFA ranking, in which Poland is steadily climbing, approaching the continent's top fifteen. Sporting success goes hand in hand with financial success, as both teams have already secured significant bonuses for their results so far. The UEFA cup competition system has undergone numerous reforms in the last decade, aimed at professionalizing smaller football markets, such as the Polish Ekstraklasa. Despite the bookmakers' optimism, the mood after the draw is mixed. Some commentators emphasize the difficulty of the drawn pairs, while others see a chance for historic success. The Italian press respectfully referred to Raków, calling it a solid opponent, which is proof of the growing reputation of Polish football. In Poznań, on the other hand, the discussion is dominated by the potential advantage of familiarity with the opponent, which Polish clubs have had the opportunity to compete against in the past. The federation's decisions regarding the exact dates and locations of Shakhtar's home matches will be crucial for the final balance of power in this pairing. „I don't want to play in Poland against a Polish team, it wouldn't be fair in terms of fan support.” — Shakhtar Donetsk Coach

Mentioned People

  • Iwanow — Commentator and expert for Polsat Sport analyzing the chances of Polish clubs.