This is one of two ties in the UEFA Europa League play-off round that are effectively decided before the second leg on 28 August 2025. In the first meeting in Poznań, Genk thrashed Lech Poznań (5:1).
As a result, Genk can even afford to lose, but will the squad ease off? Judging by their performance in the first leg — and, more specifically, Lech Poznań’s lack of threat — that seems unlikely. The team dominated the hosts, and it was 4:1 by half-time, not including Oh Hyeon-gyu’s saved penalty and rebound; he scored two minutes later.
Just as KRC Genk’s league fixture against Royal Charleroi was postponed, Lech Poznań’s meeting with Raków Częstochowa last Saturday was also called off. Both teams have therefore had a week’s rest. But what can Lech’s coaching staff realistically expect, given this mirrors the Champions League third qualifying round, where the squad was eliminated? First came a 1:3 home defeat to Crvena Zvezda, then only a 1:1 draw in the second leg, with the equaliser arriving in the 91st minute.
Even with the tie all but settled, KRC Genk are unlikely to ease up, given how disorganised Lech Poznań’s defence looked. At the very least, the hosts should win, and possibly by a wider margin.
