Lech cruise past KI Klaksvik but Ishak injury mars win

Lech Poznań booked their place in the fourth round of Europa League qualifying with a commanding 5-0 victory over KI Klaksvik on the Faroe Islands, wrapping up the tie in emphatic style despite a worrying injury to Mikael Ishak.

Travel disruption did not derail Lech

This return leg was played under unusual circumstances. Lech had intended to arrive on the Faroe Islands on Wednesday, but adverse weather prevented the team from getting there as planned. They only landed on Thursday at around 16:30, roughly three hours before the original kick-off time.

Even with that disruption, the Polish champions handled the occasion far more comfortably than in the first meeting. In that game, KI Klaksvik had made life difficult for Lech before eventually losing 1-0, with Yannick Agnero scoring the only goal.

Lech also came into the match on the back of a 3-0 league win over Piast, a game in which Karol Delikat made an instant impression by scoring with his first touch just 35 seconds after coming on for his debut.

Sayyadmanesh set the tone

KI Klaksvik still had moments early on and threatened through Hallur Hansson, whose close-range effort was stopped by Joel Pereira. But Lech soon found the breakthrough that gave them control of both the match and the tie.

Allahyar Sayyadmanesh opened the scoring in the 20th minute after a sharp attacking move. Antoni Kozubal fed Patrik Walemark, who combined with Ishak. The striker saw two efforts denied, but the loose ball fell kindly for Sayyadmanesh, who finished from close range.

That goal settled Lech, who continued to dominate possession and create openings. One flowing move involving Ishak and Pablo Rodriguez ended with Luis Palma shooting off target, underlining the visitors' growing authority.

Ishak injury clouds the evening

The main concern for Lech arrived just before the interval. Ishak went down after a challenge and appeared to be struggling with pain in his thigh muscle. Although he briefly returned, he was soon replaced by Daniel Hakans.

For a side progressing strongly in Europe, that was the one clear negative. Ishak is a central figure in Lech's attack, and any injury issue at this stage of the campaign will be closely watched.

Lech finish in style and set up Thun tie

Lech showed after the break that they have enough attacking depth to cope on the night. Sayyadmanesh turned provider for Rodriguez, who worked his way through the defence and finished from close range to extend the advantage.

As KI Klaksvik pushed forward and took greater risks, more spaces opened up. Hakans and Sayyadmanesh both went close, the latter hitting the crossbar, before Kozubal added another after capitalising on a headed pass from Hansson.

Hakans then got on the scoresheet, and Walemark added a fifth in stoppage time to complete a one-sided result.

Lech will now face Swiss champions FC Thun in the fourth round of Europa League qualifying. The first leg is scheduled for 20 August, with the return match taking place a week later.