Legia Warszawa faces another test in the Conference League. So far, the Warsaw team is progressing like a steamroller in Europe, defeating all subsequent rivals without conceding a goal.
We talk to Ryszard Komornicki about whether we can count on a similar scenario with Lugano. The 20-time representative of Poland played for 5 years as a player at FC Aarau, and then, as a coach, he led many Swiss teams.
Bartłomiej Bukowski, WP SportoweFakty: Who do you think is the favorite in the upcoming match?
Ryszard Komornicki: Legia certainly faces a difficult task. I wouldn’t count on a walk here, although Legia probably has a more experienced and better team. However, anything can happen here, because Lugano also has quality.
This is a club that has been gradually strengthened for several years and has interesting players. Anyway, just look at the fact that they are currently leading the Swiss league. They are also doing well in cups considering the budget they have. I believe that the issue of the result is open here. The form of the day and Legia’s approach may be decisive.
Lugano, above all, has a very strong mentality and is unyielding. This is a team that functions really well, has dangerous players and defends well.
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So who should Legionnaires watch out for the most?
First of all, the right wing – Renato Steffen. In the last match against Luzerna he scored a goal and the next two were disallowed. He’s a winger, a striker who likes to go inside, with his left foot. You will absolutely have to watch out for him here because he can win fights and has a shot.
Lugano also has enough attacking full-backs with good crossing skills. You also have to be careful with set pieces, because they have several players who can head well and wingers with good crosses and good foot positioning. This isn’t an all-star team, but it’s definitely solid. They play fast and try to play perpendicular balls behind the defenders’ backs. I don’t want to scare Legia here, but you definitely have to approach this match seriously, because if you give Lugano some space, they can play.
And as for Kacper Przybyłko?
So far, not counting the domestic cup, he has only 3 goals and 1 assist in 23 matches… Well, it’s not impressive. However, he will probably play anyway, because his replacement, Vladi, may be a better player, but he does not have the same presence.
So, in Lugano’s offense, Steffen will definitely be the biggest threat. Well, unless Bottani plays, who came on at the end of the last match. He is also a player who can play football. He is dangerous in offensive play, he has a passing and striking ability.
Should Poles still feel respect for the Swiss league today?
The Swiss League is not better than the Polish League. Of course, when it comes to the UEFA ranking, it is still higher, but the level in Switzerland has leveled out a bit… downwards. Basel no longer has such a strong team, it no longer dominates the league, Zurich is no longer so strong. There has been a certain generational change, there are many young players.
The Swiss also cannot financially afford to import stars. It was once still possible, maybe they were slightly older players, but there were players with big names. At the moment, however, no one can afford such large moves. That’s why I think that the level has equalized and is no higher than the Polish Ekstraklasa. I watched a few Ekstraklasa matches and I think we are more or less on the same level.
So far, Lugano has 3 victories in the Conference League and… an embarrassing 1:4 defeat against Baćka Topola, which looked terrible compared to Legia.
I wouldn’t draw too hasty conclusions from this match. Lugano had a very tight schedule. It is true that there is quite a wide squad, but it is a team that does not have much experience with regular play in cups. They could have had a bad day. I think it would be a mistake to conclude based on this match that Legia will have a hard time. Especially since they won the last match 4:1, and also defeated Gent in the last match of the Conference League. This is an unpleasant band.
How do you approach Legia in Switzerland?
Switzerland is not Italy, Germany or even Poland. There is no such fuss about sporting events here. No matter if it’s skiers, hockey players or football players. On the day of the match, yes, there are materials, but there are no major analyzes beforehand.
However, I think that Legia will be taken seriously. Polish football may not be at the highest level, but the Swiss are not at such a level that we should treat it lightly. This is a great opportunity for Lugano to become known in Europe. We also need to remember the path Lugano has traveled. From relegation to a team fighting for the championship and playing in cups. Therefore, there will definitely be no thinking that “we will somehow cope with Legia”.
You also know Lugano’s coach Mattia Croci-Torti very well, whom you had the opportunity to coach as a player in Chiasso. How do you remember him?
When I was there, he didn’t play much because he was injured, but he was always such a good team spirit. Even when he wasn’t playing, he was always at the match, always positive. He was very sociable. He’s also very emotional and I think that translates well to the band. This is a boy no one knew, and suddenly he became the first coach of Lugano, after a few years as an assistant, and that’s how it went.
There is no arrogance in him, there is no attitude that they will definitely win something. No, he always says that they have to give 100% to win the match, no matter whether in the league or in the cup. There are no matches to try and win with less effort. There is no leniency or relaxation when it comes to the game. And it works, because Lugano doesn’t have the strongest team in Switzerland, and yet it leads the league, which is a surprise.
The Legia Warszawa – Lugano match is scheduled to start on Thursday, December 12, at 6:45 p.m.
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