Chrapek scores Wisła’s winner (photo: http://www.wisla.krakow.pl)
Piotr Stokowiec happily kept his tactics from surprising win away at Lech Poznan from last Friday, but it proved to be not as efficient at home against Wisła Krakow, who remains unbeaten in 2013. Despite all the critique for previous performances that saw them note two goalless draws against Ekstraklasa’s bottom two, Tomasz Kulawik’s team have finally saw the character that may be the glimpse of good, old Wisła. But even with an important win in Warsaw tonight, “Biała Gwiazda” moved as high as ninth place.
Polonia kept their surprising shape of 3-4-2-1 and it turned out well for Stokowiec’s side initially, as they pressed high up the pitch and transferred the ball quickly to test pace of Wisła’s defenders. Przybecki stood out in early stages as couple of diagonal long passes found him coming inside from right wing but only when Gordan Bunoza made horrible mistake in 15th minute, 22-year-old midfielder capitalized and put the ball past uncertain Pareiko.
Hosts kept their ground well despite Wisła’s willingness to turn things around but they could only stand and watch as on 34th minute visitors created some space on the right, taking advantage of Piątek’s injury. Ivica Iliev was sent through by Jovanović and played the ball back, while Hołota’s poor sliding tackle only gave the chance on the plate to Wilk who made no mistake. The goal was coming for Wisła and Polonia struggled, despite Przybecki’s ambitious runs but as chances come, there was no one to capitalize on space and crosses in front of Pawełek’s goal. Małecki, put on as a striker for Wisła, dropped to wings more often than he stayed in his initial central role up front.
The second half only showed that Polonia will have huge problems in staying near the top of the table with current squad. They lacked confidence even before the break, but when Michał Chrapek found some space in the box and took the cross down to find the net next, hosts struggled to give any answer. They did well on counter but as Wisła dropped back there was no space behind the back four and only couple of half-chances arose, but Pareiko saved Grzelczak’s effort and Głowacki with Chavez maked vital and well-timed blocks inside their area.
In the end, it was quite good performance from Wisła and especially Michał Chrapek who not only scored their winner but was all-round driving force for the away team. Sarki came on for last half an hour despite training twice with the team in last two weeks, showing that midfielder may become their strong point in upcoming months. On the other hand, Polonia will be angry at the way they conceded goals with even seven man in own box, while captain’s Daniel Gołębiewski’s performance was far from what Piotr Stokowiec may expect.
Polonia Warszawa 1-2 (1-1) Wisła Kraków
Przybecki 15′ – Wilk 34′, Chrapek 52′
Polonia Warszawa: Pawełek – Todorovski, Szymanek, Morozov – Tosik, Piątek (37’ Baran), Hołota, Gołębiewski (74’ Kiełb) – Przybecki, Grzelczak, Pazio (50’ Wszołek)
Wisła Kraków: Pareiko – Jovanović, Głowacki, Chavez, Bunoza (56’ Sarki) – Sobolewski, Wilk – Burliga, Chrapek (90+2 Brud), Iliev (85’ Sikorski) – Małecki
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