Legia's last chance: five reasons for hope
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
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Legia's chances could end with defeat at Club Brugge but with a new coach and players returning to form, hope is not lost; UEFA.com's Piotr Koźmiński argues the Legionnaires' case.
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With just one point from their opening three UEFA Europa League Group D games, Legia's trip to Club Brugge on Thursday has become do-or-die for the Polish club. Yet despite losses to Midtjylland and Napoli there are still reasons to believe Stanislav Cherchesov's side can reach the knockout phase.
Duda's renassaince
Ondrej Duda's return to form in Saturday's 3-1 Ekstraklasa win at Lechia could prove a timely factor in the team turning around their European form. "I have been plagued by injuries of late, which definitely held me back," admitted the Slovakia midfielder. "But I hope the worst is behind me and I believe the fans will see the best of me again." The No8 provided an outstanding assist to set up Tomasz Jodłowiec and the sort of trickery that could cause the Brugge defence problems.
Jodłowiec on fire
Midfielder Jodłowiec has been the main man in recent weeks and is in peak form heading into matchday four. The 30-year-old provided three assists in the Ekstraklasa victory over Cracovia a fortnight ago and scored a vital goal at the weekend. "He has huge potential – I hope after EURO 2016 we will sell him for €15m," said Cherchesov.
The Cherchesov effect
Since the Legionnaires drafted in former Spartak and Dinamo Moskva boss Cherchesov to replace Henning Berg on 6 October, they have looked far more convincing. Even if they are still to hit their top level, there has been progress in both results and style, the 1-1 matchday three home draw with Brugge a considerable improvement on their opening two group performances.
"We have played five games in 12 or 13 days but have looked solid," said the 52-year-old Russian. "The victory over Lechia was completely deserved and I hope we can carry this good form into the match against Brugge."
Nikolić finding his voice?
Nemanja Nikolić has been a revelation in the Ekstraklasa, scoring 16 goals in 14 outings – nine more than the next most prolific marksman. However, 'NiGoalić' – as he has been called in Poland – has yet to break his duck in Group D.
In Warsaw, many have attributed this to insufficient service but with Duda and Jodłowiec on their game, opportunities should come the way of the Hungary striker on Thursday. As one of Europe's in-form forwards, the No11 getting a sight of goal could be all it takes to kick-start Legia's campaign.
Tričkovski's comeback
One of the reasons Legia earned a point from their first meeting with Brugge was the double half-time change effected by Cherchesov, who introduced Duda and Ivan Tričkovski with his side a goal down. Both players enhanced the XI and Tričkovski supplied the assist for Michał Kucharczyk's equaliser.
There is also extra motivation for Tričkovski to perform at the Jan Breydelstadion, given the FYR Macedonia midfielder plied his trade with the Blauw-Zwart between 2012 and 2014 and will be determined to show his old club just what they are missing.