Gornik Zabrze, Lukas Podolski’s Polish club, await Monaco in the Conference League | OneFootball

Monaco open their Europa Conference League play-off first leg at 20:00 on Thursday against Gornik Zabrze, a resurgent Polish side 80 per cent owned by Lukas Podolski. Often likened to Saint-Étienne, they are not to be underestimated.

L'Équipe notes that Poland’s runners-up were edged out in Champions League and Europa League qualifying, losing 0-1 then drawing 1-1 to Fenerbahçe, before the same sequence against Ferencvaros. Midfielder Bastien Diono, 20, felt they only just missed out, and former Toulouse forward Janis Antiste has recently joined him.

The club was long run by the city of Zabrze in the industrial south, and many players live in Katowice, about 20 minutes away. Diono describes life as comfortable, with winter lows near minus 10C said to be unusual.

Gornik’s pedigree stretches back to the 1960s and 1970s, including a Cup Winners’ Cup final in 1970, lost 1-2 to Manchester City. They also reached a European Cup quarter-final against the eventual 1968 champions, Manchester United, before years of decline.

Last season brought the Polish Cup and an 80 per cent takeover by Podolski, 41, a local-born former Germany international. He has spent five years at the club, uses his profile to aid sponsors and transfers, often travels with the team, and remains adored by fans. His businesses, from kebabs to clothing and a music festival, add momentum.

Facilities are strong, with a training base beside the stadium, plus gym and recovery areas. The 28,000-capacity ground is being upgraded and is near full most matches, and three excellent training pitches outshine a match surface unchanged for 17 years.

Another potential trap for Monaco, this will be their first competitive outing of the season while Gornik are already on their ninth.

Source: L'Équipe

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”