Friendly: FC Liverpool-Wisla Krakow 1:1.

After an average game Wisla Krakow drew with FC Liverpool 1:1. Wisla played with their strongest possible squad and did quite well in the first half. Unfortunately, the second half was much worse as the Reds decided to employ a more determined pressing.

FC Liverpool-Wisla Krakow 1:1 (6′ Voronin- 12′ Jirsak).
Wisla:Pawelek -Baszczynski, Glowacki, Cleber (74. Singlar), Piotr Brozek (71. Niedzielan) -Boguski (80. Malecki), Cantoro (46. Junior Diaz), Jirsak (74. Maczynski), Sobolewski, Zienczuk - Pawel Brozek (82.Dawidowski)

I know it’s a stupid football saying, but it truly was a game of two halves. The first one was very good from Wisla. They played fast, one touch football and kept possession throughout most of the time. The team looked very well organised, especially in the midfield. Wisla’s goal was of a quality that we hardly see in the Polish league. As for individual notes (I consider Polish players only), Pawelek and Boguski impressed me most. Krakow’s keeper was flawless in the game; he showed impressive agility and made good decisions (one on one vs Voronin was a touch of true class). Boguski started the game on the right wing, but he was all over the pitch, both in the middle and as a second striker. I like his first touch, movement and passing ability. He also doesn’t look to lose his composure under pressure. He’s one of the players that Leo has to give a chance to in the upcoming season. One more interesting thing, Piotr Brozek played better as a left back than as a left winger. He passed the ball well to the midfielders and took part in many offensive plays, but he was nowhere to be seen in the second half when he played as a winger. His twin brother Pawel once again proved that he doesn’t feel well when playing as a lone striker. I think it’s not a case of skills but a one of lack of good movement. In other words, he doesn’t seem tactically prepared to play on this position. A moderate game from Glowacki (is he still a candidate for the national team?) and a nothing-more-than-expected one from Zienczuk. It’s a shame that Wisla couldn’t repeat their performance in the second half. Fistly, Cantoro wasn’t on the pitch, secondly, Liverpool started to put more pressure on Wislacy so the defenders had to play long balls to the strikers. All in all, we saw a team that has the ability to beat Beitar Jerusalem in CL qualifiers, but at the same time a one that can’t keep up the tempo and quality of play troughout 90 minutes. What’s your opinion on the game?

Other news: Ebi Smolarek’s transfer to Toulouse has now most definitely fallen through as the French Club purchased Soren Larsen from Schalke. Now it’s time for the press to look for a club for Ebi. After not substantiated rumours about Panathinaikos and Olympiakos the next club in line is Benfica. It all looks great on paper, but there is no Benfica official around to confirm this interest. We’re in for about 20 more rumours about Ebi during the transfer window.

For every 50 rumours there is one transfer that is actually taking place. Przemyslaw Kazmierczak is to sign a one year loan deal with Derby County. He’s even called a ‘Champs League Ace’ on their official site (positive marketing at its best). The Rams coach, Paul Jewell, is also praising Kaz saying that he’ll definetely strengthen the team. I suppose it’s a good move from Kaz, better than sitting on FC Porto’s bench. It looks as if they’re really counting on him at Derby and I don’t have to tell you what that means for a player’s mentality.

Michal Janota will travel with Feyenoord’s senior team for a second training camp. It only proves that he really impressed in the friendlies. Mind you, it will be harder this time around as the Dutch team plays against Mallorca, Celtic or Dortmund during the camp. The player himself is not convinced that he’ll feature in Eredivisie games next season. I agree, he probably won’t be a regular memeber of the first team. At the same time, I hope he’ll be given a chance to shine in less important games. Leo already has him in his notebook.

19 year old Lukas Jutkiewicz scored two goals for Everton in a 2:4 loss against Cambridge Utd. Jutkiewicz was trasferred to Everton a year ago, but he failed to win a place in a match squad. He also failed to impress during a loan move to Plymouth Argyle. However, he’s playing with the big boys in the friendlies (Everton’s squad contained the likes of Johnson, Arteta, Neville, Lescott or Jagielka). I’ve never seen Lukas live so it’s hard for me to comment on him. Sunday Mirror is calling him a ‘powerful youngster’. And he really looks quite powerful on this video, maybe a future Polish nr 9?

Kamil Grosicki wasn’t in the squad for FC Sion’s first game of the season. Shit.

Adam Kokoszka stll hasn’t signed a contract with anybody. Shit.