Motor Lublin coach Mariusz Misiura went out of his way to praise Jacek Zieliński before Friday's PKO BP Ekstraklasa match against Korona Kielce in Kielce. Misiura said he is a big fan of Zieliński and revealed that, the day after finishing his first Ekstraklasa season, he called him to congratulate him on reaching 20 years in the top flight.
That respect, however, will not soften the challenge once the game starts. Misiura made it clear that Motor Lublin are heading to Kielce with ambition, confidence and a belief that they can take three points. He pointed to his team's philosophy, approach to the ball and the quality of the players as the main reasons why Motor still feel they can beat any opponent.
The match also carries a little extra weight because of the recent records of both sides. Korona Kielce come into the game after beating Widzew in Łódź last weekend, while Motor Lublin had drawn with Widzew, Pogoń and Jagiellonią before finally getting their first win under the new coach against GKS Katowice. That gives both clubs a mix of momentum and questions as they meet in a game that could matter in the early league table.
A familiar coaching matchup
This will also be another chapter in the coaching duel between Misiura and Zieliński. In 2025, Misiura's Wisła Płock beat Zieliński's team 2:0 at home, and the return match in Kielce ended 1:1. So far, that leaves Misiura unbeaten in their previous two meetings, which adds another layer of interest to a fixture already shaped by similar points totals and Korona's public ambition to fight for the Polish championship.
Misiura did not dismiss that ambition. Instead, he said he noticed the club's public push and the strong squad-building around it, but insisted Motor are focused on their own strengths rather than the reputation of the opponent. His message was simple: there are 11 players on the pitch, and Motor believe they have enough quality to compete on equal terms.
That sets up a straightforward but meaningful contest in Kielce. Korona will try to build on last weekend's win, while Motor will look to back up their first victory under the new coach. And with Misiura openly praising Zieliński before kickoff, this is more than just another early-season league match.
