Lechia Gdańsk enters the spring round as one of the teams that will fight until the last round to stay in the PKO Ekstraklasa. After a very weak autumn round, the situation of the team from Gdańsk is difficult, but not hopeless. Will spring bring the desired improvement?
Lechia's problems
Like Śląsk Wrocław, Lechia cannot count the autumn as a success. After promotion to the Ekstraklasa, the club did not strengthen itself as needed. The transfer window was slept through – no one who could significantly improve the team's quality joined the team. The effects of this were all too visible on the pitch. The club has been struggling with financial problems for years, which additionally limit staffing possibilities. However, the victory over Śląsk Wrocław (1:0) was an important step in the fight for survival, allowing the team a moment of respite. Unfortunately, this is only a small step on the long road that Lechia must go through in the spring.
Transfers are key to survival
The most important question before the start of the spring round is: how will Lechia cope on the transfer market? The club needs, above all, an experienced central defender who knows the realities of the Ekstraklasa and can organize the defensive game. Conrado's departure has further weakened the team, so bringing in a right defender is also a priority. Given the narrow squad and lack of depth in key positions, Lechia cannot afford injuries to key players. The width of the reserve bench is minimal, and in the face of a difficult schedule, the margin for error is practically non-existent.
Heroes of autumn – Kapić and Piła
Lechia's autumn round can be summed up in one word: uneven. Rifet Kapić deserves a special mention, as he has repeatedly pulled the team forward. He is a player that Lechia fans are counting on in the spring as well. It is worth paying attention to Dominik Piła - a young player who came to Gdańsk from Chrobry Głogów, with each successive match he shows that he can be one of the pillars of the team. Lechia's best performance in the last round was the win against Górnik Zabrze. This match showed that the team has potential in the offensive, although it lacks stability.
Tough spring schedule
Lechia does not have an easy start to the spring part of the season. The first match is a trip to the difficult terrain of Lublin, where Motor will certainly want to collect all the points. Then the Gdańsk team will face Lech Poznań, one of the favorites for the Polish championship, at home. Two demanding matches at the beginning may set the stage for the further fight for survival.
Hope for the future
The restoration of the license to play in the Ekstraklasa is already a great organizational success for the club. Now everything depends on transfer decisions and the team's determination on the pitch. If it is possible to strengthen key positions, Lechia still has a chance to remain in the elite. Will spring be a time of rebirth for Lechia Gdańsk? Everything depends on the answers to two key questions: whether it will be possible to build a more solid squad, and whether the team will be able to show character in difficult conditions. For now, fans can keep their fingers crossed and believe that their team is able to fight to stay in the league.
photo: Krzysztof Połącz / 058sport