Conference League: Lech Poznań to face Shakhtar, Raków to play Fiorentina

During Friday's draw in Swiss Nyon, the fate of Polish representatives in European cups was decided. Lech Poznań, which continues its campaign, drew Shakhtar Donetsk, a team that regularly appears in the Champions League group stage. Meanwhile, Raków Częstochowa will compete against ACF Fiorentina, a renowned brand from Italy's Serie A. This situation stirs great emotions, as both clubs are currently at a crucial point in the season, combining their cup campaign with the race in the domestic Ekstraklasa. Reactions to the draw are mixed. Ukrainian media reports have emerged suggesting that their players are not enthusiastic about the prospect of playing in Poland, despite the fact that our stadiums have served as their home arenas for years due to the war. Meanwhile, in Częstochowa, there is an atmosphere of mobilization; Marek Papszun, the coach of Raków, emphasizes that the clash with Fiorentina is the ultimate test. The team from Donetsk, on the other hand, has a rich history of encounters with Polish teams, which adds spice to the upcoming two-legged tie. It is worth noting that the performance of Lech and Raków is crucial for the country's UEFA ranking, which determines the number of spots for Polish teams in future editions of European competitions. The UEFA Conference League was established in 2021 as the third tier of European club competitions, giving teams from leagues with lower national coefficients greater chances for regular appearances.The financial aspect of advancing to the round of 16 also does not go unnoticed. Polish clubs have already received significant sums from UEFA bonuses, which systematically builds their budgets for upcoming transfer windows. Bookmakers, despite respect for the opponents, maintain moderate optimism regarding Lech, recalling its recent successes on the international stage. Parallel to their cup preparations, both teams must contend with a demanding league schedule, including matches such as Lech vs. Raków or Jagiellonia vs. Legia, forcing coaches to rotate their squads. „Taka szczerość to rzadkość” (Such honesty is a rarity) — Marek Papszun From a logistical perspective, the round of 16 matches will require perfect organization from the clubs, especially in the context of the anticipated high interest from fans both in Poznań and Florence. The sports press emphasizes that for Polish club football, this is a breakthrough moment where two teams have a real chance to fight for a quarter-final spot in the prestigious tournament. The final decisions will be made in March when the first and second legs take place.