Lech Poznan's form assessed as Sunderland prepare for next Europa League test

Sunderland fans are reaching for their passports once again as they prepare to head to Poland for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Lech Poznan.

Fresh from last week’s dramatic win at Portuguese Cup winners Torreense, Regis Le Bris and his players will receive a strong support once again when they walk out at the ENEA Stadion later this week. They will meet a home side that have experienced contrasting fortunes in their domestic and European campaigns during the first three months of the season and one that is still looking for a first win in the league phase of the Europa League. But how have Lech Poznan fared across the campaign ahead of their home clash with the Black Cats?

How did Lech Poznan qualify for the Europa League?

Lech’s Ekstraklasa title win actually secured progress into the second qualifying round of this season’s Champions League - and they appeared to be on their way to the third qualifying round after they claimed a 4-1 away win in the first leg of their tie with Danish side AGF. However, a 4-1 home defeat and a penalty shoot-out defeat in the second leg saw Lech drop into the third qualifying round of the Europa League. Progress into the league phase was secured with relative ease with a 6-0 aggregate win against KÍ Klaksvík of the Faroe Islands and a 9-2 two-legged hammering of Swiss side FC Thun.

How have Lech Poznan fared in the league phase of the Europa League so far?

As we know, Sunderland have made a promising start to their first ever Europa League campaign after taking maximum points from a home game with AZ Alkmaar and an away day at Portuguese Cup winners Torreense. However, the same cannot be said of Thursday’s hosts as they head into their home clash with the Black Cats looking for their first point of the league phase. Lech suffered a 4-0 defeat at Sunderland’s Premier League rivals Crystal Palace on matchday one as Yéremy Pino, Chris Richards, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Eddie Nketiah found the net at Selhurst Park. That was followed up by another 4-0 defeat against Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen as a brace from Swiss striker Patrick Schick and a goal apiece from Malik Tilman and Ibrahim Maza helped the visitors to all three points.

How are Lech Poznan performing in the league?

Lech have made a solid start to their defence of their Ekstraklasa title defence and have actually lost just one of their first nine league games ahead of Sunday’s home game with Korona, which was another victory. That solitary loss came against current leaders Gornik Zabrze last month and a 1-1 draw with Cracovia is the only other time Lech have dropped points in the league so far this season. Lech have a game in hand on Gornik and second placed Legia Warsaw and the early signs appear to show the title race could include up to four teams with fourth placed Pogon Szczecin also in the mix.

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