On Thursday evening, a UEFA Europa League qualifying match will take place in Ostrava, as Czech side Baník Ostrava hosts Legia Warsaw.
The form of the Czech team
Banik started the Czech league season with a 1-0 defeat to Prague Bohemia. They finished the 2024/2025 season in third place. Despite the loss at the start of the season, Banik performed very well during the preseason. Among other things, they defeated the reigning Polish champions, Lech Poznań, in their summer friendlies. Of the six friendlies, Banik won two, lost two, and drew two.
The form of the team from the capital of Poland
Legia hasn't played an Ekstraklasa match yet this season due to the postponement of their match against Piast Gliwice. However, the "Army" side have already played two Europa League qualifying matches. The Capital City team faced Kazakhstan's FK Aktobe, winning both matches 1-0. It's worth noting that Legia won the Polish Super Cup at the start of the season, defeating Lech 2-1. The coaching change at the Warsaw team is therefore beneficial.
Direct clashes of both teams
Legia and Banik have faced each other only once before – in the 1974 Intertoto Cup. Both matches ended 1-1. Legia's overall record against the Czech team is 1 win, 1 loss, and 4 draws. Legia's last match against the Czech team was also a Europa League qualifier – against the reigning Czech champions, Slavia Prague – a match Legia won 2-1 with two goals from former Legia striker Mahir Emreli.
How will Legia fare in Ostrava? Kick-off is tomorrow (24/07/2025) at 7:00 PM.