Piast Gliwice Faces Widzew Łódź Amid Coaching Changes

As the clock ticks down to kickoff, anticipation builds for the clash between Piast Gliwice and Widzew Łódź in the 26th round of the PKO Ekstraklasa on March 28, 2025. Piast, currently sitting in 10th place, is looking to bounce back after suffering two consecutive losses. The team has recently announced that coach Aleksandar Vuković will part ways with the club at the end of the season, adding an extra layer of urgency to their performance.

Earlier in the season, Piast Gliwice managed to secure a notable victory against Legia Warszawa, winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from Jorge Felix in the 40th minute. However, their recent form has been concerning, with defeats to Pogon Szczecin, Rakow Czestochowa, and Puszcza Niepołomice weighing heavily on their morale.

On the opposing side, Widzew Łódź has faced its own set of challenges, including a coaching overhaul that saw Daniel Myśliwiec dismissed and Patryk Czubak stepping in as a temporary manager. Following Czubak's brief tenure, Željko Sopić has now taken the reins as the new head coach, marking his debut at the Ekstraklasa level.

As the teams prepare to meet in Gliwice, Widzew currently occupies the 13th position in the league, trailing Piast by three points. The last encounter between these two sides ended in a narrow victory for Widzew, who won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Imad Rondic, a player who has since moved to Germany’s 1. FC Köln.

The match will be officiated by Patryk Gryckiewicz from Toruń, with Marcin Boniek and Michał Sobczak assisting on the lines. The VAR system will be managed by Tomasz Kwiatkowski and Piotr Rzucidło.

Fans can catch the action live on Canal+ Sport 3 and Canal+ Sport 5, with coverage starting at 18:00. For those who prefer to stream, the match will also be available online through Canal+ Online.

As for the odds, Piast Gliwice is favored to win with odds of 1.81, while a draw stands at 3.40 and a Widzew victory at 4.20. These figures reflect the competitive nature of this matchup, as both teams seek to secure vital points in their respective campaigns.

In terms of player availability, Piast Gliwice will be without Miguel Munoz due to injury, leading to a tactical reshuffle. Coach Vuković has opted to start Miguel Nobrega in his place, while Grzegorz Tomasiewicz returns to the lineup, taking over from Tihomir Kostadinov, who has been rested after international duty.

Piast Gliwice's starting eleven features goalkeeper František Plach, defenders Akim Zedadka, Miguel Nobrega, Jakub Czerwiński, and Igor Drapiński, alongside midfielders Erik Jirka, Patryk Dziczek, and Jorge Felix, with Michal Chrapek and Maciej Rosołek leading the attack.

On the other side, Widzew Łódź's lineup includes goalkeeper Rafał Gikiewicz, defenders Peter Therkildsen, Mateusz Żyro, Juan Ibiza, and Samuel Kozlovsky, with midfielders Marek Hanousek, Juljan Shehu, Bartłomiej Pawłowski, and Lubomir Tupta supporting striker Fran Alvarez.

Notably, Bartłomiej Pawłowski will captain Widzew for the first time since May of last year, a significant milestone that could inspire his teammates as they aim to turn their fortunes around.

As the teams take to the pitch, fans will be eager to see how Sopić's tactical changes will play out. Will Widzew manage to capitalize on their recent win against Piast, or will the home side find a way to reclaim their form and secure a critical victory?

With the match still ongoing, the atmosphere in Gliwice is electric, and both teams are vying for every point as the season approaches its climax. The stakes are high, and the outcome remains uncertain, promising an exciting encounter for all involved.