Conference League: Lech Poznań to Face Shakhtar, Raków to Take on Fiorentina

The draw ceremony in Swiss Nyon set the path for Polish representatives in the decisive phase of European competition. Conference League enters the round of 16, and fate spared no excitement for Ekstraklasa fans. The Lech Poznań vs. Shakhtar Donetsk matchup is generating the most commentary. While the Ukrainian club is traditionally associated with the Champions League, its drop to the third tier has not diminished its reputation. Interestingly, the Ukrainian side expressed reluctance to play its home match in Poland, sparking diplomatic sports discussions. Experts recall Legia Warsaw's past success in eliminating the Donetsk team, which should serve as a mental guide for "The Railwaymen" under Frederiksen. The Poznań coach openly admitted that Shakhtar was his dream opponent due to prestige and playing style. Simultaneously, Raków Częstochowa is preparing for a rematch of Polish-Italian clashes from earlier tournament stages. Pairing the Częstochowa side with ACF Fiorentina is considered an extremely difficult task, but it offers a chance for sporting revenge for the fate of Jagiellonia Białystok, which previously fell to the Tuscan team. Raków, despite some squad turbulence following Steve Kapuadi's departure, shows full tactical readiness. Italian media speak respectfully of the Polish champions, calling them a "disciplined monolith." Success for both teams has not only a sporting but also a financial dimension – UEFA bonuses so far constitute a significant cash injection, and advancing past the round of 16 would open the door to even greater rewards. Poland is currently fighting to maintain 12th place in the UEFA ranking, which directly translates to the number of teams eligible to start in European cup qualifiers in subsequent seasons. In the media context, many voices concern match organization. Shakhtar Donetsk, due to the ongoing war, must seek an alternative stadium, and its declared reluctance towards venues in Poland forces officials to look in other European countries. At Lech, the mood is combative – key midfield players are returning to training, giving the coach more room for maneuver ahead of the upcoming 23rd round of the PKO Bank Polski Ekstraklasa. Bookmakers cast Polish clubs as contenders but emphasize that, given Raków and Lech's current form, both clashes have the potential to be dubbed "even battles for the quarter-finals," which in this edition gains particular luster due to the final being held in Wrocław. „Szachtar to wielki klub z ogromnym doświadczeniem, ale to właśnie z takimi rywalami chcemy się mierzyć, by pokazać naszą wartość w Europie.” (Shakhtar is a great club with huge experience, but it's precisely against such opponents that we want to compete to show our worth in Europe.) — Niels Frederiksen The recent weeks have also brought an improvement in the atmosphere around Polish national football, which impacts the perception of clubs. Good form of goalkeepers, including Łukasz Skorupski, strengthens the belief that the Polish training system can produce players capable of competing at the highest level. Both in Poznań and Częstochowa, there is a conviction that the March match dates will be the perfect moment to show the full offensive potential. Fans hope that dreams of a Polish final on home soil will become slightly more realistic after the first March matches.