Breakthrough at R22: Wisła - Ruch 3:1

Monday evening was marked by the Friendly Match between Wisła Kraków and Ruch Chorzów. The match has just concluded, and this time the Wawel team emerged victorious, winning the match 3-1. Angel Rodado (two) and Olivier Sukiennicki scored for Wisła Kraków.

The opening minutes of the match were a textbook example of a back-and-forth battle. For Wisła, Alan Uryga attempted a technical shot from outside the penalty area, but Konczkowski, who headed the ball from the edge of the box, prevented him from scoring. Ruch repeatedly crossed the ball, and the most dangerous move of the first quarter came from Kozak, who delivered a powerful long-range shot to test Chichkan's ability as he returned between the posts.

The match, played amidst a fantastic crowd, remained intense. The Blues threatened with a dangerous free kick, while Wisła, working well in midfield, maintained possession for long stretches in Jakub Szymański's penalty area. However, after half an hour, the scoreboard remained empty.

Before halftime, the visitors from Chorzów were clearly in a slight advantage, having been successfully stopped by our goalkeeper from finding the net after a clever set piece. However, injury time belonged to the White Star. First, Sukiennicki sent a warning to the visitors' defense, hitting the left post. In the next action – the last, as it turned out – of the half, Angel Rodado was ruthless, cutting in Marc Carbó's through ball and scoring the proverbial goal that took the game home. It was 1-0, and we were in for another 45 minutes of thrilling action!

Maintain the advantage

Ruch Chorzów resumed the match in less than ideal fashion. Filip Starzyński committed a sharp foul in front of the home bench, for which referee Przybył, after consulting the VAR, showed him a red card. It was the 50th minute, and the blue team now had to play catch-up with 10 players. Coach Janusz Niedźwiedź had to quickly adapt his game plan, which, as it soon turned out, he did successfully.

The visitors didn't back down, and despite their weakened form, they pressed Wisła hard. After a corner kick, the ball left the penalty area and fell directly to Szymon Szymański. He struck a powerful shot from considerable distance and equalized the score at 1-1. The clock was ticking down in the 57th minute.

The visitors, trying to manage their forces wisely, retreated, trying to defend a favorable result under the circumstances. However, their deep defensive play was punished – Carbó's closing attack fell in the penalty box, forcing the referee to award a penalty. After a lengthy VAR review, the original decision was upheld, and Rodado stepped up to take the shot. The Spaniard had a chance to double and made no mistake, although the goalkeeper almost cleared his shot. The White Star regained the lead 2-1 in the 75th minute!

Angel also found the net for a third time, but during the buildup phase, the linesman adjudged Zwoliński, who had been introduced earlier, to be offside. The score remained tied at the R22, and the fourth official signaled 10 minutes of added time. Finally, in the 99th minute, Olivier Sukiennicki finally made it 3-1, finishing off an exchange of passes on the right wing with a fine shot. Wisła Kraków thus closed out the fourth round of their league campaign with a perfect record.

Wisła Kraków - Ruch Chorzów (1:0):

• 1:0 Rodado 45+2'
• 1:1 S. Szymanski 57'
• 2:1 Rodado 75' (k.)
• 3:1 Sukiennicki 90+9'

Wisła Kraków: Chichkan - Jaroch, Uryga, Biedrzycki, Mikulec (81' Kiakos) - Carbó, Kutwa (67' Starzyński) - Baena (67' Zwoliński), Sukiennicki, Kiss (90+7' Gogół) - Rodado

Ruch Chorzów: Szymański J. - Lukić, Szymański Sz., Sadlok (82' Delgado) - Konczkowski, Starzyński, Ventura, Karasiński - Kozak (68' Łaski), Szczepan (82' Moneta) - Novothny

Yellow cards: Biedrzycki, Mikulec, Zwoliński - Ventura, Konczkowski

Red cards: Starzyński (foul)

Judge: J. Przybył (Kluczbork)

Attendance: 22,217