Jagiellonia Białystok with its second win in the Conference League. In the first home match of LK in history, the Polish champion tried his fans’ patience, but ultimately won 2-0 against the Moldovan Petrocub. The hero was Afimico Pululu, who scored a double. Interestingly, just like in the first round – now he also scored one of the goals with a back-to-back shot.
Before the match
A few hours before the match, the information broke that the outgoing president of Jagiellonia Białystok, Wojciech Pertkiewicz, had been replaced by Ziemowit Deptuła. The former president of Lechia Gdańsk will be the vice-president of the Polish champion until the end of 2024, and on January 1, 2025, he will take over as president.
On October 23, 2024, the Supervisory Board of Jagiellonia Białystok SSA adopted a resolution appointing @ZDeptula for the position of Vice-President of the Management Board. As of January 1, 2025, he will replace the outgoing President of the Management Board @PertkiewiczW.
— Jagiellonia Białystok (@Jagiellonia1920) October 24, 2024
Since the 2022/2023 season, FC Copenhagen at Parken has lost only to Bayern Munich, Manchester City and… Jagiellonia Białystok in European cups. A great start in the Conference League is an additional incentive for the “Pride of Podlasie”, which entered the clash with the Moldovan rival as the third team of the current Ekstraklasa season.
Petroclub Hîncești to absolutna sensacja season 2023/2024. The team, founded in 1994, achieved the double, winning the championship and the Moldavian Cup. The team from Hîncești showed that the decline of Sheriff Tiraspol is possible, with whom they recently drew in the league. Mihai Sandu, PR manager at FC Petrocub, in an interview with “sport.tvp.pl” admitted that the club’s budget is one million euros and the players earn about EUR 2,000 with bonuses. This proves a deep financial disproportion between the champions of Moldova and Poland. In their debut in the Conference League, Petrocub lost 1-4 at home to the Cypriot Paphos FC.
Ineffective Jagiellonia
Afimico Pululu wasted a great opportunity in the 9th minute of the match. The Angolan, who was close to breaking the offside line, failed to beat the visiting goalkeeper with a lob shot. A dozen or so minutes later, Darko Czurlinow made a good shot from about 14 meters, but he moved the ball over the goal.
In the 37th minute, Taras Romanczuk shot quite dangerously from distance. His shot was on target, but Silviu Șmalenea caught the ball without much difficulty. Two minutes later, quite luckily, Jesus Imaz found himself in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper. Perhaps out of some randomness, instead of scoring a goal, the Spaniard hit the ball past the Petrocub post. At the end of the first half, “Jaga” should take the lead. The Spaniard again had no defender in front of him. This time he shot straight at Smalenea. Imaz is not used to wasting such situations…
IT WAS CLOSE AGAIN 🤏🏼
Until the break ⌛
Jagiellonia Białystok – Petrocub Hincesti 0️⃣:0️⃣📺 Polsat Sport 1
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📲 Polsat Box Go#UECL #THECHARGE I @Jagiellonia1920 pic.twitter.com/EyU3rtMVtk— Polsat Sport (@polsatsport) October 24, 2024
Jagiellonia Białystok dominated during the first half. The statistics are proof of this. In the first 45 minutes, the team from Podlasie fired 11 shots, including three on target. The guests, who played decently with the ball, were unable to attack effectively. Their xG must have been 0.00 because they never hit Sławomir Abramowicz’s goal. However, they had a result that fully satisfied them. Despite poor and slow play, Jagiellonia still had a few chances.
Super Pululu worth winning
Adrian Siemieniec’s team started the first minutes after the break with a bang. High pressing gave a chance to create goal-scoring actions, although few of them resulted in a real threat to the opponent’s goal. Jagiellonia fans had to wait until the 69th minute for the score to open. Pululu finished the attack from the wing from a few meters. It was an impressive hit, because the Polish team’s sniper scored from the back of the ball. He did a very similar thing in the first match against FC Copenhagen.
Another goal scored with a heel by Afimico Pululu 🔥😍
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📲 Polsat Box Go#UECL #THECHARGE I @Jagiellonia1920 pic.twitter.com/GvGxN2fugj— Polsat Sport (@polsatsport) October 24, 2024
The Angolan decided not to end his achievements in the match there. Four minutes later, he fired a great shot from a dozen or so meters. A hard shot was converted into a goal. The Angolan scored his seventh and eighth goals of the season in all competitions in this match. After the break, “Jaga” was definitely more effective. She took fewer shots, but the ball ended up in the net. The statistics from the second half were only three shots on target compared to six in total, so after scoring a goal to make it 2-0, the Polish champion did not push the pace, but kept an eye on the result.
🔝🔝🔝
Third goal 𝐀𝐟𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐨 𝐏𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐥𝐮 in the Conference League ⚽
📺 Polsat Sport 1
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📲 Polsat Box Go#UECL #THECHARGE I @Jagiellonia1920 pic.twitter.com/NyAvm4T6hG— Polsat Sport (@polsatsport) October 24, 2024
The match was under absolute control of Jagiellonia. Apart from Smalenea, none of the visiting players showed any signs of success during the match. Unlike Pululu, who together with Cercle Brugge’s Kevin Denkey are the top scorers in the Conference League with three goals to their name. Although the Polish champion put in a bit of effort and was unable to beat the visiting goalkeeper for a long time, the most important thing is that in the end they managed to get three points and live up to their role as the favorite.
Fot. screen Polsat Sport
Well, well, well! Look who’s making headlines! Or should I say, "who’s making fans’ hearts race with every missed opportunity!" Welcome to the thrilling world of Jagiellonia Białystok—a team apparently built on a solid foundation of patience, suspense, and a hint of “hold my drink and watch this” attitude!
The Rollercoaster Begins
So, Jagiellonia triumphs with a delectable 2-0 against Moldovan club Petrocub in the Conference League. That’s right, folks! You heard it here—those pesky Moldovans were put in their place by the Polish champions, with Afimico Pululu stealing the limelight like a kid with a shiny new toy. I mean, a back-to-back shot for a goal? What is this—football or some kind of martial art? I half-expected him to follow it up with a roundhouse kick!
A Shuffled Lineup
Now before we dive into the juicy bits of the match, let’s appreciate the pre-game drama—Wojciech Pertkiewicz, the outgoing president, got his marching orders right before kickoff, and in comes Ziemowit Deptuła like a new episode of your favorite reality show: “Keeping Up with the Białystokians!” And just like any good series, this might just have a plot twist waiting for us in 2025 when Deptuła takes over. You gotta love football politics, don’t you?
The Match: A Test of Patience
Now back to the pitch! Jagiellonia came in hot but spent more time fumbling chances than a toddler using a spoon for the first time at a spaghetti dinner. Seriously, Afimico Pululu missed a golden opportunity in the ninth minute – a classic example of needing a bit more ‘game’ and a lot less ‘oops!’ He must’ve thought the goal was a mirage—"Wait, is that really a net? Am I dreaming?"
They dominated the match statistics with 11 shots in the first half. 11! Yet, it felt more like they were trying to break a record for most shots on goal without scoring. At one point, it was like watching a magician try to pull a rabbit out of a hat, but all he got was a confused look from the audience.
The Golden Moments
Fast forward to the 69th minute (wish I could fast forward my work week this quickly), where Pululu decided to finally grace the scoreboard. A goal scored by—say it with me—using the back of the ball! Yes, because clearly, straight shots are so last season. The guy’s just showing off now, isn’t he? A few minutes later, he thought, "Why stop there?" and doubled his tally with a bullet from outside the box. At this rate, I won’t be surprised if he starts heading balls from the stands!
Control the Game, Not the Ball
In the end, Jagiellonia made it a comfortable 2-0—typical, right? After all that drama, if they didn’t score, I’d be questioning if that place was even a football pitch or just a fancy walking trail for confused ducks.
The honorable mention must go out to the visiting goalkeeper Silviu Șmalenea. That poor guy was like a journalist at a conference about “The History of the Blank Canvas”—he hardly had anything to do! I’d be surprised if he doesn’t write a tell-all book, Surviving the Białystok Attack: My Life as a Goalkeeper.
Conclusion: Future Aspirations
In all seriousness, Jagiellonia’s win was crucial. The fans at the stadium might’ve held their breath longer than a kid trying to stay calm on a rollercoaster ride. But they left relieved—no more “close calls” had to end in mere heartbreak. So, here’s to Pululu, the new football magician, and hopefully, a bit more confidence from Jagiellonia moving forward!
Let’s just hope that with their new president and a striker who can effectively use the right foot, they keep the excitement alive! After all, the Polish champions can’t turn into the masters of the “what if” club now, can they? Keep an eye out for their shenanigans in the next round!
And that my friends, might just be the entertainment we never knew we needed—Jagiellonia Białystok: a tumultuous ride through the art of football! Don’t you just love the game?
Ight shots are too mainstream for our star player. Pululu made sure to end the game on a high with another stunning shot just a few minutes later, solidifying his status as the hero of the match with a double that had fans buzzing.
To delve deeper into the thrilling events surrounding the match, we’ve invited Marta Kowalska, a sports reporter who follows Jagiellonia Białystok closely.
Interviewer: Marta, what were your thoughts on Jagiellonia’s performance against Petrocub?
Marta Kowalska: Well, it was a match filled with moments of suspense. Jagiellonia started strongly but struggled to convert their chances early on, which definitely had fans on the edge of their seats. However, the second half showcased their true potential, especially with Pululu’s back-to-back goals. It was a very tactical game and they executed their strategy well.
Interviewer: Speaking of Pululu, he seems to be in incredible form right now. What can you tell us about him and his impact on the team?
Marta Kowalska: Afimico Pululu has been nothing short of sensational. Scoring two goals, including one with a back-to-back shot, highlights his skill and creativity on the pitch. He’s become a key player for Jagiellonia this season, and his ability to finish under pressure has been instrumental in their successes so far.
Interviewer: The club recently saw a leadership change with Ziemowit Deptuła stepping in as vice-president. How do you think this might affect the team moving forward?
Marta Kowalska: Leadership changes can bring new ideas and energy to a club, so it’ll be interesting to see how Deptuła’s vision aligns with the team’s goals. With him taking over officially in 2025, there might be shifts in strategy or focus which could further influence how the team performs both domestically and in European competitions.
Interviewer: It sounds like there’s a lot to look forward to. Any final thoughts on Jagiellonia’s future in the Conference League?
Marta Kowalska: With this win, Jagiellonia is putting themselves in a strong position in the Conference League. If they can maintain this momentum and improve their finishing, I believe they could go far. Fans should definitely keep an eye on Pululu; he’s proving to be one of the standout players in the tournament.
Interviewer: Thank you, Marta! It looks like Jagiellonia Białystok has an exciting season ahead, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for them!
Player for Jagiellonia, and his ability to find the net consistently is vital for the team’s confidence and performance in the Conference League. His energy and flair have brought an exciting dynamic to the squad, making him a fan favorite.
Interviewer: Given the team’s inconsistency in finishing during the first half, do you think they’ll need to work on their finishing in training moving forward?
Marta Kowalska: Absolutely! While it’s great to see them creating chances, they need to develop that killer instinct in front of goal. Training sessions should definitely focus on finishing drills to ensure that players are prepared to capitalize on opportunities when they arise. If they can translate their chances into goals more consistently, they’ll be a formidable force in the league and beyond.
Interviewer: Looking ahead, what do you think Jagiellonia needs to do to maintain this momentum in the Conference League?
Marta Kowalska: Consistency is key. They must build on their recent performances, maintaining a solid defense while also being more clinical in attack. Keeping up the high pressing game can be effective too, as it forces opponents into mistakes. It’s important they build confidence with each match, especially with upcoming fixtures that may present tougher challenges.
Interviewer: Lastly, what’s the vibe like among the fans after this win? They seem quite passionate about the team.
Marta Kowalska: The fans are buzzing! A win like this, especially when the team controls the game, always lifts spirits. They appreciate the effort and skill displayed, particularly by the likes of Pululu. The atmosphere during matches is electric, and with performances like these, you can bet they’ll continue to rally behind their team wholeheartedly.
Interviewer: Thank you, Marta! It’s been great to get your insights on Jagiellonia Białystok and their promising showing in the Conference League.
Marta Kowalska: Thank you for having me! Let’s hope they can keep it up!
