Match Previews

Henriquez (r)(def) the only injury doubt for the in-form Poles... Injac (r)(mid) is missing... Attacking 4-3-3 system expected... Lech Poznan host Deportivo La Coruna on Thursday evening knowing that anything other than a defeat will leave them with an outside hope of qualifying for the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup – a performance that would go down as their best ever European effort. Already they must be ruing a missed opportunity to have beaten Nancy in Poland, a match that could prove pivotal if they are to be knocked out at this stage. Leading 2-1 with ten minutes remaining, the Poles showed their European inexperience by conceding a goal and drawing the game. They equipped themselves, arguably, better in Russia against CSKA Moscow last week as they went down to a narrow 2-1 defeat against a very well thought of side. Poznan matched their opponents in terms of time in possession and shots on goal but just did not quite have the quality to tie against their more illustrious opponents. Their UEFA Cup adventures do not seem to have had any effect on their fine league form, either. Lech lead the Polish top flight after winning four of their five November fixtures, conceding only one goal and dropping only two points over a tricky month. Their wins have not been spectacular but they have been workmanlike and have a number of exciting young players in their side. Star man to watch may be Robert Lewandowski, who has been scoring freely in the domestic game and has been nicknamed the Polish Fernando Torres. The 20 year-old has found the net only once in November and will start alongside Hernan Rengifo in attack. Playing just behind them will be another rising talent, Semir Stilić, who is attracting attention from many top sides. The playmaker has six goals in his last eight games, including one against Nancy (although it’s fair to say this was a fluke). Wilk and Peszko should form a solid midfield while no alterations are expected to be made in defence following the defeat in Russia. Injac is injured, though. The rearguard is also a unit working well domestically so tampering is not advised. Tanevski is walking a suspension tightrope with two yellow cards. Henriquez remains their only injury concern. Lech have not named an official squad.