Raków Częstochowa opened its 2026/27 pre‑season with a friendly against Greek powerhouse Olympiacos. The match took place on July 8 in Athens, and the visitors lost 1‑2 after goals in the 34th and 78th minutes.
How did the match unfold?
Olympiacos controlled possession early, but Raków equalised from a corner when Patryk Dziczek headed home in the 34th minute. The Greeks responded after the break, with striker Vasilis Torosidis putting them ahead in the 78th minute with a long‑range strike. The final minutes were frantic, yet goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski kept a clean sheet.
What does this mean for Raków in the league?
After the game, coach Marek Papszun stressed that a 1‑2 loss does not reflect the squad’s true level. “We sit fourth in the Ekstraklasa with 55 points, 16 wins, 7 draws and 11 defeats – our position is solid, and a +11 goal difference (51 scored, 40 conceded) gives us confidence,” he said. The club is five points behind leaders Lech Poznań, and the last result – a 3‑0 win over Arka Gdynia on 23 May 2026 – underlines their recent momentum.
Which areas need improvement?
Although the attack showed potency, the defence struggled against the Greeks’ quick wingers. The coach highlighted the need for tighter coordination on set‑pieces. In the coming weeks Raków will face more European opponents in test matches to squeeze the most out of their four‑game winning streak.
What’s next in the preparation?
The squad returned to Częstochowa for two more friendlies – against Lechia Gdańsk and Wisła Płock. Papszun wants to keep the rhythm, especially as the last five fixtures yielded four wins and one loss (WWWWL). Maintaining this drive could see them challenge for the title in the final stretch of the season.
Key stat: Raków Częstochowa sits 4th in the Ekstraklasa with 55 points from 34 games, and their latest result was a 3‑0 victory over Arka Gdynia on 23 May 2026.
