Gornik Zabrze target Monaco upset in Conference League

Gornik Zabrze travel to AS Monaco on Thursday for the second leg of the fourth and final qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League, still chasing a place in the competition despite a narrow defeat in the first meeting.

A difficult task in Monaco

The Polish side go into the return game after losing 3-2 at home, a result that leaves the tie finely balanced but underlines the scale of the challenge now facing them away from home.

Monaco represent elite opposition at this stage, and Gornik's aim is clear: overturn the deficit and remove a heavyweight from the qualifying path. The margin from the first leg means the contest remains alive, even if the away trip raises the level of difficulty significantly.

Gasparik backs his players

Coach Michal Gasparik struck a defiant tone before the match, saying his team is "hungry". That brief assessment offers a clear indication of the mood inside the camp ahead of one of the club's biggest fixtures of the qualifying campaign.

For Gornik, the second leg is not only about responding to the first result but also about showing they can compete under pressure against a side with greater stature. Gasparik's words suggest belief remains intact despite the setback in the opening match.

Final hurdle in qualifying

This is the last round of qualification for the Conference League, which adds extra weight to the occasion. There is no longer any room for recovery after this stage, and that reality should shape the approach from both teams.

• Competition: UEFA Conference League qualifying
• Round: fourth and final qualifying round
• Fixture: AS Monaco vs Gornik Zabrze
• First-leg result: Gornik Zabrze lost 3-2 at home
• Gornik coach: Michal Gasparik

Gornik's objective is straightforward, even if execution will be far more demanding. They must produce a strong away performance against Monaco to keep their European hopes alive and turn Gasparik's confidence in his squad into a result that would stand out in the club's recent history.