Legia Warsaw remains undefeated in its pre-season campaign after a 3-1 victory over Radomiak Radom in a test match held in Urszulin. Despite trailing 1-0 at halftime, Marek Papszun’s squad secured the win through goals from Robert Deziel Jr, Michal Sevcik, and Kamil Piątkowski, maintaining momentum as the Ekstraklasa season approaches.
Tactical Flexibility and the Search for a Starting XI
With the league opener against Pogoń Szczecin set for July 24, Legia coach Marek Papszun continues to experiment with attacking structures. According to internal reports, the team has been rotating between two primary formations: a system featuring one offensive midfielder behind two strikers, and a setup utilizing two offensive midfielders behind a lone forward.
During the match against Radomiak, Papszun deployed the two-midfielder variant in both halves. The starting lineup featured Wahan Biczachczjan and Jakub Żewłakow as the “tens,” supporting striker Mileta Rajović. Following the interval, the tactical look shifted as Mateusz Szczepaniak and Sparta Prague loanee Michal Sevcik took over the creative roles, with Rafał Adamski leading the attack. This ongoing rotation underscores the staff’s effort to identify the most effective personnel configuration before the competitive season begins.
Pro Tip: Watch for how Legia utilizes their full-backs during the opening weeks of the season. The return of Ruben Vinagre, who missed most of the spring round, adds significant width that could change how Papszun balances his midfield pivots.
Assessing New Signings and Defensive Stability
The match provided a glimpse into the form of recent arrivals, though results were mixed. Zoran Arsenić, returning from a minor injury, struggled early, conceding a penalty that allowed Radomiak to take the lead. Conversely, Robert Deziel Jr—who arrived from Bayern Munich’s reserve squad—showed promise as a left-sided center-back and successfully converted a goal to equalize at 1-1.
The second half saw a marked improvement in Legia’s fluidity. The introduction of Michal Sevcik and Mateusz Szczepaniak invigorated the offensive line. According to match observations, the team’s ability to generate pressure in the second half was bolstered by a more cohesive midfield pairing of Bartosz Kapustka and Henrique Arreiol, with Kapustka providing the assist for Piątkowski’s late goal.
The Persistent Challenge of Finishing
Despite the win, Papszun has expressed recurring concerns regarding the team’s clinical efficiency. Following previous friendlies against Trenčín and Hapoel Be’er Sheva, the coaching staff noted a disconnect between the number of chances created and the number of goals converted.
This trend persisted on Tuesday. While Legia dominated possession, they struggled to capitalize on opportunities. Mileta Rajović, who faced criticism last season for his conversion rate, remained a point of frustration for the staff after missing a high-probability chance from short range. With limited time remaining before the Pogoń Szczecin match, resolving this efficiency gap remains the team’s most significant tactical hurdle.
Did you know? The friendly against Radomiak included “tactical minutes”—two seven-minute periods added to the halves where teams practiced playing with a numerical advantage, simulating potential red-card scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When does Legia Warsaw start their Ekstraklasa season? Legia plays Pogoń Szczecin in the season opener on July 24 at 20:30.
- Who scored the goals for Legia against Radomiak? Robert Deziel Jr, Michal Sevcik, and Kamil Piątkowski found the net in the 3-1 victory.
- Is Legia’s attacking lineup finalized? No. Marek Papszun continues to rotate between different midfield and striker configurations to find the optimal balance for the new season.
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