In a highly anticipated clash on Holy Saturday, Widzew Łódź faced off against Motor Lublin in the 29th round of the PKO BP Ekstraklasa. The match, held at Widzew's home ground, kicked off at 17:30 local time on April 19, 2025. Both teams entered the game looking to break a streak of disappointing performances, with Widzew coming off a loss to Korona Kielce and Motor eager to redeem themselves after a narrow defeat against Lech Poznań.
Widzew's Croatian coach Zeljko Sopić, who has been at the helm for a month, expressed the need for his team to aim higher in the league. "I want to play for something more," he stated, acknowledging the physical challenges his squad faced in previous matches. Sopić noted that the PKO BP Ekstraklasa is a very competitive league where any team can win on any given day. He emphasized the importance of the fan support at Widzew, comparing the atmosphere to the best clubs in Croatia.
As the match unfolded, it was clear that both teams were intent on securing a crucial victory. The first half was tightly contested, with neither side able to find the back of the net until the 43rd minute. A decisive moment came when Motor Lublin was awarded a penalty after Ndiaye was fouled in the box. Wolski stepped up to take the penalty and calmly slotted it home, giving Motor a 1-0 lead just before halftime.
Widzew players were visibly frustrated, feeling that they had been denied a penalty earlier in the match. At the 60-minute mark, they suggested that a foul had occurred in the penalty area, but play continued without intervention from the referee. This moment highlighted the growing tension as Widzew sought to equalize.
Despite some promising chances in the second half, including a disallowed goal from Cybulski due to offside, Widzew struggled to convert their opportunities. The home team, which included Gikiewicz, Therkildsen, Żyro, Ibiza, Kozlovsky, Hanousek, Sypek, Alvarez, Czyż, Cybulski, and Tupta, pushed forward in search of an equalizer. However, the Motor defense, anchored by Tratnik, held firm.
Motor Lublin, on the other hand, fielded a lineup that included Tratnik, Wójcik, Najemski, Matthys, Luberecki, Wolski, Samper, Caliskaner, Ndiaye, Król, and Mraz. Coach Mateusz Stolarski made tactical adjustments, including a triple substitution in the 57th minute, bringing on Stolarski, Scalet, and Ceglarz to reinforce the team's efforts.
Throughout the match, the physicality of both teams was evident, with multiple fouls leading to yellow cards for Wolski and Luberecki from Motor. The referee, Jarosław Przybył from Kluczbork, had a busy afternoon managing the heated exchanges as both teams vied for control.
As the clock wound down, Widzew intensified their attack, but the Motor defense remained resolute. Sopić's squad, aware that their performance would impact the mood of their fans during the Easter holiday, pushed forward with urgency. "We want to rehabilitate ourselves after last week's loss," Sopić had stated pre-match, and his players embodied that determination.
In the end, the match concluded with a score of Widzew Łódź 0, Motor Lublin 1. Wolski's penalty proved to be the decisive moment in a match that saw both teams display their fighting spirit. The victory for Motor Lublin not only provided them with three valuable points but also served as a much-needed morale boost ahead of the holiday.
Looking ahead, both teams will need to regroup after this match. Widzew, sitting in 12th place with 36 points, will need to address their inconsistency if they hope to climb the league standings. Meanwhile, Motor Lublin, now in 9th place with 40 points, will look to build on this victory as they aim for a stronger finish to the season. With several matches still to play, the race for league positioning remains wide open, and every point is crucial.
