Benfica go into their Europa League meeting with Lech Poznań on maximum points after three matches, while the Polish side have only one point and one goal from the same number of games. That gap is the basic shape of the tie before Lech arrive at Estádio da Luz next Thursday.
Lech's domestic run before Lisbon
Lech came through a much livelier domestic test at the weekend, beating Wisla Cracóvia 3-1 at home in the 13th round of the Polish championship. It was goalless at half-time, then four goals came in a short second-half spell.
Antoni Kozubal scored in the 54th minute, [Jakub Krzyzanowski] came back with an equaliser in the 56th after being set up by Frederico Duarte, and Patrik Wålemark restored Lech's lead in the 57th. Yannick Agnero closed it out in the 64th minute.
Lech sit top of the Ekstraklasa, so the domestic form is there. The problem is that Europe has looked different, with only one point from three Europa League games and a 32nd-place position in the league phase. They have managed just one goal in the competition so far, which is a thin return for a side heading into a match against the current table leaders.
Benfica's start is the opposite. They have nine points from three games, top spot in the table and home advantage in Lisbon, which is a strong platform against a team still searching for rhythm in Europe.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
