Conference League: Lech Poznań and Raków Częstochowa Fight for European Cup Quarterfinals

Polish club football is experiencing an unprecedented renaissance on the international stage. For the first time in years, two domestic teams, Lech Poznań and Raków Częstochowa, have reached the round of 16 of the Conference League. The draw for the pairs, held in Nyon, produced matchups that evoke both hope and geopolitical controversy. Lech Poznań will fight for a quarterfinal spot against Shakhtar Donetsk. The Ukrainian team, a regular participant in the Champions League group stage, poses a serious sporting challenge, but media attention was drawn to statements from Shakhtar's coach, who questioned the rationale for playing matches on Polish territory. Meanwhile, Raków Częstochowa will have the chance to eliminate Italian Fiorentina, which would be one of the greatest successes for the club from Jasna Góra. The situation around the Lech vs. Shakhtar match has become dynamic due to the words of the visiting coach, who openly appealed to UEFA to move the competition outside the borders of Poland. This argumentation met with a swift reaction from Polish representatives and the public, for whom Poland is a natural and safe home for Ukrainian football during the ongoing war. Meanwhile, in Poznań, the mood is mixed – on one hand, joy at continuing the European adventure; on the other, concerns about the team's personnel situation. The coach of Kolejorz is grappling with squad problems described as a "total breakdown" of the team, forcing costly and risky changes in the player rotation system ahead of key clashes. The successes of Polish clubs this season have significantly boosted Poland's position in the UEFA country ranking, which in the future could translate into more spots in the Champions League qualifiers. Parallel to the international arenas, a battle is underway on the domestic front. A major event is the direct clash between Lech and Raków in the Ekstraklasa. This match is seen as a general rehearsal before the European competition. Sports media are also closely following transfer movements, including the controversial departure of Kapuadi from Legia Warsaw, which Marek Papszun commented on in his characteristic uncompromising style. Experts on talk shows, such as Cafe Futbol, analyze the wage structure and club expenditures, noting that maintaining competitiveness in Europe generates costs running into tens of millions of złoty. Despite these burdens, bookmakers' optimism suggests that Polish fans can expect further excitement in March, and dreams of the final remain alive. „To bolesne, ale w piłce na tym poziomie nie ma miejsca na sentymenty, gdy zawodnik decyduje się na taki krok.” (It's painful, but at this level of football, there's no room for sentiment when a player decides to take such a step.) — Marek Papszun A key element of the discussion remains the UEFA ranking, in which Poland has recorded a significant rise. Both teams advancing past the round of 16 could guarantee a stable position in the top fifteen of the standings, which is a historic opportunity for the entire domestic federation. Although luck was not kind, confrontations with giants like Fiorentina or Shakhtar are the moments for which strong clubs are built.