Arka Gdynia will host Stal Rzeszów in the Polish Cup Round of 32. The match is scheduled for Thursday, 29 October at 19:00 local time at Stadion Miejski w Gdyni.
For Arka, it's a chance to build on their recent league victory. On Saturday, the team beat Nieciecza 3-1 at home. That was an important win for a side sitting 15th in the I Liga table with 11 points from eleven games, with a record of three wins, two draws and six losses. It ended a run of two consecutive league defeats and they are now on a two-game winning run, with their recent form over the last five matches being three wins and two losses.
Form ahead of the cup tie
Arka's recent results have been mixed. Following the win over Nieciecza came a 2-1 loss to Lechia Gdańsk and another defeat to Polonia Warszawa. Earlier, in a friendly against IFK Göteborg, they secured a high-scoring 3-2 victory. This shows the team can score goals but struggles with consistency. This season, Arka has netted 13 times but conceded 15, giving them a goal difference of minus two.
Stal Rzeszów lost their last league match to Lechia 2-1. Back in August, Arka thrashed the Rzeszów side 4-0 in the league. That historical meeting will certainly influence the psychology of both teams ahead of Thursday's clash.
Squad and tactics
In their last friendly outing against IFK Göteborg, Arka's coach fielded a lineup with D. Arndt in goal. The defence featured K. Gruszkowski, J. Dominguez, M. Komenda and D. Gojny. The midfield was formed by M. Ambrosiewicz, A. Sidibe, D. Kun and J. Kowalski, with N. Dziegielewski and E. Rama up front. Ambrosiewicz, who assisted the first goal on Saturday and also scored, will be a key figure in the centre of the park.
Stal Rzeszów's last match saw a team with M. Koziol in goal. The defensive line included M. Thiede, M. Kaczor, V. Krasovskiy and K. Kukulka. The midfielders were O. Madej, S. Goss, M. Leniart and M. Rittmuller, with S. Pukala and S. Salamon in attack.
For Arka, this cup match is a break from the tough battle in the league, where they trail leaders Pogoń Grod. Mazowiecki by ten points. Their next league test awaits in a few days, an away match against Chrobry Głogów on 3 November, who currently sit 11th in the table. Victory in the Polish Cup could give the team the confidence boost they need ahead of that next trip.
