Jagiellonia Białystok moved closer to advancing to the 1/8 finals of the UEFA Conference League with a solid 3-1 victory against TSC Bačka Topola on February 13, 2025. The match was held at Gradsk Stadium in Serbia, where the Polish champions showcased resilience and tactical prowess.
Coming off varied performances recently, including a win against Radomiak and a surprising loss to Stal Mielec, Jagiellonia approached this encounter as the favorites. Their opponent, TSC Bačka Topola, didn’t come to the match lightly; they had also struggled with form, suffering defeats against Crvena zvezda and Mladost Lučani earlier this year.
From the onset, the match unfolded cautiously, with both teams treading carefully without committing to aggressive plays. Jagiellonia seemed to control the majority of possession initially, but the Serbians were quick to counter and create opportunities. The breakthrough came when Prestige Mboungou scored for TSC Bačka Topola after 28 minutes, shooting past Jagiellonia's goalkeeper Sławomir Abramowicz following defensive confusion.
“Despite early pressure from TSC, we can be proud of how we came back and established ourselves during the match,” Jesús Imaz remarked after the game, crediting the team’s spirit and adaptability.
The Polish side’s response came just three minutes later. A defensive error by TSC gifted Imaz the opportunity to level the score. He capitalized on the mistake, placing his shot expertly to equalize before the halftime break.
The first half finished 1-1, and it was clear Jagiellonia had gained the momentum. They returned to the pitch with renewed focus. Just minutes after the second half began, they were pressuring again. Pululu and Darko Czurlinow both came close to scoring, forcing TSC’s goalkeeper Veljko Ilić to display excellent reflexes.
Finally, Jagiellonia’s persistence paid off. With just eight minutes left on the clock, Pululu unleashed a spectacular strike from outside the penalty area, catching Ilić off-guard and giving the Polish side the lead at 2-1. The pivotal moment inspired confidence, shifting the dynamics of the match significantly.
For good measure, Imaz sealed the victory with another goal during stoppage time, raising the tally to 3-1, much to the delight of the traveling supporters.
Aleksandar Vuković, former Serbian player and now coach of Piasta Gliwice, previewing the match, emphasized Jagiellonia's advantage based on their performance level, noting, “I believe Jagiellonia is the stronger team right now, though Bačka Topola should not be underestimated.”
Moving forward, Jagiellonia appears well-positioned for the return match on February 20 at the Chorten Arena in Białystok. The significant away win provides the team with relief, as they only need to maintain control and withstand the pressure at home to secure their spot in the next round of the tournament. Fans eagerly anticipate the prospect of their team facing off against Polish rivals Legia Warsaw should Jagiellonia navigate successfully through the next leg.
With this victory, Jagiellonia not only strengthened their position on the European stage but also contributed valuable points to improve their UEFA ranking.