News
A Meager Point in Zabrze
Published: 07-10-2008 10:06Wisła was supposed to quickly recover from dropping out of the UEFA Cup following the team's encounter with Tottenham, but barely managed to save a tie in the last minutes of their league match against Górnik.
The initial moments of the match did not herald such a dramatic course of events. Wisła’s players, despite a much changed lineup – Coach Skorża surprised nearly everyone by making three unforced changes to the starting lineup – had greater possession of the ball from the outset. Things looked much worse when it came to creating threatening plays in front of Vaclavik’s goal. The guests first tried their luck with long distance shots, but the home side’s goalie had no trouble in catching Zieńczuk’s shot, while Sobolewski’s shot was cleared by Vaclavik over the end line for a corner kick. Wisła finally created a nice goal-scoring opportunity in the 16th minute. Sobolewski dribbled the ball for several meters into the penalty area and when it appeared as though he was going to take a shot, he passed the ball to Paweł Brożek. However, before “Brozio” was able to turn around with the ball, Vaclavik was already on him and managed to block the shot. Fans had to wait until the very end of the first half for the White Star’s next good opportunity. Boguski passed the ball to Paweł Brożek, who extended the pass over to the left flank, where Zieńczuk was open. The opportunity that presented itself to the White Star’s left midfielder was reminiscent of his goal-scoring plays from last season. This time, however, “Zieniu” kicked the ball in such a way that Vaclavik deflected the ball out in front of himself.
In the meantime, Górnik attacked with greater animus. Starting from around the 25th minute, the home team no longer just interfered with Wisła’s plays, but began to threaten their opponents on offense as well – not only with quick forward passes, but in other ways as well. They were close to succeeding on two occasions: first, following a mistake made by Piotr Brożek, who lost possession of the ball to Malinowski in his own penalty area. Nevertheless, “Pietia” managed to correct his error by scooping the ball out from beneath the Zabrze midfielder’s legs just in time. In the 36th minute of the match it looked as though Brzęczek had an open road to maneuver Pitry into a one-on-one position, but Sobolewski intercepted his pass at the last moment.
During half time Coach Kasperczak probably told his players there was no reason to fear Wisła and should therefore attack the Polish champions. The home side began the second half by doing just that, which quickly brought an effect. In the 54th minute of the match Wisła cleared a free kick cross into the penalty area straight to Pitry, who immediately took a shot on goal. Moreover, the ball ricocheted off one of the White Star’s players, which completely surprised Pawełek. A moment later the hosts should have led 2:0. Marcelo cleared the ball in such a way that Pitry intercepted it. Nonetheless, despite being in a great position, the host striker’s shot flew just past the goalpost.
Coach Skorża reacted immediately to such a turn of events by making two substitutions. In spite of this, Wisła was unable to put together a play that was capable of threatening Vaclavik’s goal. The only chances they did have came after set-plays. In such situations the ball most often made its way over to the White Star’s tallest player, Marcelo, who came close to scoring on two occasions. Vaclavik and one of his defenders cleared his first shot, which was headed right for the upper corner of the goal, while Marcelo’s second shot hit the goalpost and landed in the goalie’s arms. It was precisely after a set-play that Wisła’s players finally did manage to score. Although Zieńczuk’s cross was deflected to the side, a second cross by Małecki ended up on Sobolewski’s head, who powered an indefensible shot into the far corner of the goal.
That was all the White Star’s players were capable of achieving that day, and it must be said that they were lucky not to have lost another goal following one of Górnik’s counterattacks, as the home side had some excellent opportunities to raise the score.
Górnik Zabrze – Wisła Kraków 1:1 (0:0)
1:0 Pitry 54’
1:1 Sobolewski 84’
Górnik Zabrze: Vaclavik – Bonin, Hajto, Pazdan, Magiera – Malinowski (70’ Kołodziej), Brzęczek, Bajić, Madejski – Zahorski (90’ Wodecki), Pitry (78’ Danch)
Wisła Kraków: Pawełek – Singlar, Marcelo, Cleber, Piotr Brożek – Łobodziński (75’ Łobodziński), Diaz (60’ Cantoro), Sobolewski, Zieńczuk – Boguski (60’ Niedzielan), Paweł Brożek
Yellow cards: Hajto, Bajić, Kołodziej (Górnik) – Marcelo, Cleber (Wisła)
Referee: Marcin Borski
Spectators: 15 000
Photo. Maks Michalczak
Wisła Kraków SA Press Office
In the meantime, Górnik attacked with greater animus. Starting from around the 25th minute, the home team no longer just interfered with Wisła’s plays, but began to threaten their opponents on offense as well – not only with quick forward passes, but in other ways as well. They were close to succeeding on two occasions: first, following a mistake made by Piotr Brożek, who lost possession of the ball to Malinowski in his own penalty area. Nevertheless, “Pietia” managed to correct his error by scooping the ball out from beneath the Zabrze midfielder’s legs just in time. In the 36th minute of the match it looked as though Brzęczek had an open road to maneuver Pitry into a one-on-one position, but Sobolewski intercepted his pass at the last moment.
During half time Coach Kasperczak probably told his players there was no reason to fear Wisła and should therefore attack the Polish champions. The home side began the second half by doing just that, which quickly brought an effect. In the 54th minute of the match Wisła cleared a free kick cross into the penalty area straight to Pitry, who immediately took a shot on goal. Moreover, the ball ricocheted off one of the White Star’s players, which completely surprised Pawełek. A moment later the hosts should have led 2:0. Marcelo cleared the ball in such a way that Pitry intercepted it. Nonetheless, despite being in a great position, the host striker’s shot flew just past the goalpost.
Coach Skorża reacted immediately to such a turn of events by making two substitutions. In spite of this, Wisła was unable to put together a play that was capable of threatening Vaclavik’s goal. The only chances they did have came after set-plays. In such situations the ball most often made its way over to the White Star’s tallest player, Marcelo, who came close to scoring on two occasions. Vaclavik and one of his defenders cleared his first shot, which was headed right for the upper corner of the goal, while Marcelo’s second shot hit the goalpost and landed in the goalie’s arms. It was precisely after a set-play that Wisła’s players finally did manage to score. Although Zieńczuk’s cross was deflected to the side, a second cross by Małecki ended up on Sobolewski’s head, who powered an indefensible shot into the far corner of the goal.
That was all the White Star’s players were capable of achieving that day, and it must be said that they were lucky not to have lost another goal following one of Górnik’s counterattacks, as the home side had some excellent opportunities to raise the score.
Górnik Zabrze – Wisła Kraków 1:1 (0:0)
1:0 Pitry 54’
1:1 Sobolewski 84’
Górnik Zabrze: Vaclavik – Bonin, Hajto, Pazdan, Magiera – Malinowski (70’ Kołodziej), Brzęczek, Bajić, Madejski – Zahorski (90’ Wodecki), Pitry (78’ Danch)
Wisła Kraków: Pawełek – Singlar, Marcelo, Cleber, Piotr Brożek – Łobodziński (75’ Łobodziński), Diaz (60’ Cantoro), Sobolewski, Zieńczuk – Boguski (60’ Niedzielan), Paweł Brożek
Yellow cards: Hajto, Bajić, Kołodziej (Górnik) – Marcelo, Cleber (Wisła)
Referee: Marcin Borski
Spectators: 15 000
Photo. Maks Michalczak
Wisła Kraków SA Press Office
