Raków Częstochowa faces its last realistic chance to qualify for European competition this season. On Tuesday, October 27, the team from Częstochowa will play Motor Lublin in the round of 16 of the STS Polish Cup at the Motor Lublin Arena. Raków, sitting 18th in the Ekstraklasa with a tally of just six points from twelve games, has only two wins and ten losses in the league.
The club, currently sitting 18th in the PKO BP Ekstraklasa with just six points from 12 games, recently changed managers. Dawid Szwarga replaced Tomasz Kaczmarka, and the cup match is a key test for him. Raków has lost ten of its twelve league matches, and in the most recent encounter with Motor, they drew 1-1. Lamine Diaby-Fadiga scored a late equaliser for the visitors. This was their second draw in the last five matches, a run which also includes two wins and two losses. Prior to that, Raków lost 2-1 to Wisla Krakow, and before that won 2-1 against Wieczysta Kraków.
For Raków, it is the only route to European qualification for the 2024/25 season. In the league, the team trails leaders Lech Poznań by 22 points, and its form in the last five matches reads two wins, a draw, and two losses. On Saturday, Raków drew with Motor, but prior to that lost 2-1 to Wisla Krakow. The next challenge is a league fixture against third-placed Pogon Szczecin on November 2nd. This season, Raków has scored 16 goals but conceded 28, giving them a goal difference of minus twelve.
Motor Lublin is unbeaten in its last four league games and caused a sensation in the previous cup round by beating Legia Warsaw 3-0. The home team's manager, Mariusz Misiura, pointed to the key for advancement before the match. Whoever makes more mistakes will not go through to the next round, Misiura said. The tie will be decided in a single match, with extra time and penalties if necessary after 90 minutes.
Raków has positive memories from the September league meeting, which they won 2-1 at home. The team's top scorer this season is Patryk Makuch with six goals. Tuesday's match kicks off at 17:30. Progress to the quarter-finals would be a huge boost for Raków in a difficult season.
Background and full detail: sport.tvp.pl
