The Ekstraklasa standings continue to take shape as the Polish football season progresses, with Jagiellonia Białystok maintaining their grip on the top spot despite a recent draw. Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, Legia Warszawa finds itself in a precarious position, battling to avoid relegation. Round 21 saw crucial results for several teams, impacting both the championship race and the fight for survival.
Jagiellonia Białystok’s momentum was momentarily halted by a 0-0 draw against Cracovia Kraków. Despite failing to secure a victory, they remain at the summit with 36 points after 20 matches, showcasing a strong defensive record with 36 goals scored and only 23 conceded. This result, however, allows Górnik Zabrze to close the gap, sitting just two points behind with 34 points after 21 games.
Wisła Płock continues to be a strong contender, holding onto third place with 33 points after 21 matches. Their solid defensive performance, having conceded only 16 goals, has been a key factor in their success. Zagłębie Lubin and Cracovia Kraków are closely behind, both with 32 points, demonstrating the intense competition within the league’s upper echelon.
Lech Poznań is making a strong push up the table, securing a convincing 3-0 victory over Piast Gliwice. This win propels them to sixth place with 32 points, just four points behind league leaders Jagiellonia. Lech’s attacking prowess is evident in their goal tally of 34, but their defensive vulnerabilities, having conceded 30 goals, remain a concern.
The battle for survival is heating up, with Legia Warszawa facing a challenging situation. Their winless streak in the Ekstraklasa extends to several months, and a 1-1 draw against GKS Katowice did little to alleviate the pressure. Currently sitting in 17th place with only 21 points after 21 matches, Legia is dangerously close to the relegation zone. A crucial factor in their predicament is their goal difference of -3, highlighting their struggles in both attack and defense.
Widzew Łódź provided a much-needed boost to their survival hopes with a victory over Wisła Płock. Goals from Sebastian Bergier, his 11th of the season, and Emil Kornvig secured a 2-1 win, lifting them to 15th place with 23 points. This result is a significant step towards escaping the relegation battle, providing a much-needed morale boost for the team.
Pogoń Szczecin also found a breakthrough, ending a five-game winless streak with a 1-0 victory over Arka Gdynia. Paul Mukairu’s early goal proved decisive, moving Pogoń up to 13th place with 25 points. Arka Gdynia, now finds themselves in the relegation zone, with 22 points and a game in hand.
Lechia Gdańsk continues to impress as one of the season’s surprise packages. Their 3-2 victory over Motor Lublin, fueled by a brace from Camilo Mena, demonstrates their attacking capabilities. Despite starting the season with a points deduction, Lechia has climbed to ninth place with 27 points, showcasing remarkable resilience and tactical flexibility.
The match between Raków Częstochowa and Zagłębie Lubin ended in a goalless draw, marking Raków’s fourth consecutive match without a win and their third under the guidance of coach Łukasz Tomczyk. This lack of momentum has seen them slip to seventh place with 31 points.
Korona Kielce secured a 2-0 victory in the derby against Radomiak Radom, but the match was marred by unacceptable fan behavior. Supporters stormed the pitch and attacked Korona players, leading to a concerning incident that will likely result in disciplinary action. Despite the off-field issues, Korona’s win moves them to eighth place with 30 points.
The 21st round concluded with a 1-1 draw between Termalica Bruk-Bet Nieciecza and Górnik Zabrze. This result, while preventing Termalica from overtaking Legia in the standings, keeps them firmly in the relegation battle with 21 points. The draw also allows Legia to remain just above them, albeit precariously.
Ekstraklasa Table After 21 Rounds
Here’s a snapshot of the Ekstraklasa standings following the completion of the 21st round of matches:
- 1. Jagiellonia Białystok – 20 matches, 36 pkt, 36-23
- 2. Górnik Zabrze – 21 matches, 34 pkt, 32-27
- 3. Wisła Płock – 21 matches, 33 pkt, 23-16
- 4. Zagłębie Lubin – 21 matches, 32 pkt, 33-27
- 5. Cracovia – 21 matches, 32 pkt, 27-22
- 6. Lech Poznań – 21 matches, 32 pkt, 34-30
- 7. Raków Częstochowa – 21 matches, 31 pkt, 27-25
- 8. Korona Kielce – 21 matches, 30 pkt, 26-22
- 9. Lechia Gdańsk – 21 matches, 27 pkt, 44-41
- 10. Radomiak Radom – 20 matches, 27 pkt, 35-32
- 11. GKS Katowice – 20 matches, 27 pkt, 27-29
- 12. Piast Gliwice – 21 matches, 26 pkt, 22-24
- 13. Pogoń Szczecin – 21 matches, 25 pkt, 31-35
- 14. Motor Lublin – 21 matches, 24 pkt, 28-36
- 15. Widzew Łódź – 21 matches, 23 pkt, 29-32
- 16. Arka Gdynia – 20 matches, 22 pkt, 17-35
- 17. Legia – 21 matches, 21 pkt, 23-26
- 18. Bruk-Bet Termalica Nieciecza – 21 matches, 21 pkt, 26-38
