A View From The Other Side - Lech Poznan

Tomorrow night City travel to Poland to face Lech Poznan, the team we beat 3-1 a fortnight ago.

City know that a win will see them qualify from the group stage with two games to spare. Lech Poznan are looking to cause something of an upset and finish in second position in the group. This would be enough to see them through a group that City and Juventus were widely expected to dominate.

Poznan, though, have produced some good results to put themselves in contention.

I've done my Q & A this week with two Poznan fans who were only too happy to share some thoughts on the game ahead. Their names are Bartek and Sebastian. Many thanks to them for doing this.

Ciao,

Richard

--------------------------------------------------------------------


W.A.D: The Lech Poznan fans were probably the best away supporters we've had at City. The atmosphere they created was fantastic - what kind of atmosphere can the City fans expect in Poland?

Bartek: "Wiara Lecha" is well known in Poland as the best and most organised football fans in the country. If you're any good in maths, multiply our 3,000 away fans by 14 (42,000 stadium capacity) and it will equal a very hostile atmosphere.

Sebastian: The atmosphere will be incredible for the entire game, regardless of thescore, they have actually sold all tickets for home fans already and that proves what kind of amazing support this club has.Man City fans going to Poznan will witness some of the best support from football fans in the whole of Europe.

W.A.D: When the group was drawn, most people would have had Juventus andCity as favourites to qualify, but Poznan are looking good to cause a surprise. Realistically, how far do you think Poznan can go in the Europa League?

Bartek: It'll be a great success if we qualify to knock out stages. Then, whoknows what's going to happen because Poznan is not a very pleasant place to come for a football club.

Sebastian: Qualifying out of the group stages will be an incredible achievement. After the group was drawn we could only hope not get too embarrassed and try to get at least some points in matches against Salzburg. Now, as a lot people would admit Lech has a massive chance to be a first Polish team to qualify to the next round in this formula of Europa League. Win against Juventus in Poznan should be sufficient.

W.A.D: Who is Poznan's danger man? Anybody in particular City should be worried about?

Bartek: Our summer signing - Artjoms Rudnev. He scored a hat trick in the away leg against Juventus.

Sebastian: There are a few creative, talented and strong players in Lech, the most dangerous I would say is Slawek Peszko, he has pace, technique and a good finish. Semir Stilic on the other hand is a player that can change thegame with just one pass.

W.A.D: Is there any City player that you are worried about?

Bartek: It's a difficult question. It would probably be easier to answer which City player we shouldn't be worried about considering the amount of funds you've got available.

Sebastian: Adam Johnson is a man that our players should be marking extremely close, Carlos Tevez is always a threat but he's not playing in this match (pheew!!).

W.A.D: What is your score prediction for the game?

Bartek: I'm afraid we might just pull this one off. 1 - 0 to Lech Poznan

Sebastian: Lech Poznan 2-1 City, with a goal from Peszko in an additional time.