Jagiellonia Białystok go into Thursday’s second leg of their Europa League qualifying tie in complete control after beating Saburtalo Tbilisi 4-0 last week. Adrian Siemieniec’s side do not need to be adventurous in Tbilisi; they simply need to finish the job and avoid giving Saburtalo any early momentum.
The size of the first-leg result has turned this into a steep challenge for the Georgian side. Saburtalo Tbilisi are third in the Georgian top flight with 34 points and only in the final Conference League spot on goal difference, which underlines the contrast between their domestic position and the scale of the task now in front of them.
Why Jagiellonia hold the advantage
Jagiellonia’s first-leg performance was built on control and efficiency. They produced 13 shots to Saburtalo’s 15, but the Polish side were far more decisive in the moments that mattered and scored three goals in a dominant opening leg.
That result also fits a wider European pattern. Jagiellonia come into the second leg unbeaten in their last eight away European matches, a record that should give them confidence as they return to Mikheil Meskhi Stadium with a four-goal cushion.
Saburtalo need something extraordinary
For Saburtalo, the issue is not just finding a quick goal, but finding a level of attacking consistency they did not manage in the first leg. They have scored seven goals in five continental outings, and while that shows they can be dangerous, the margin for error now is almost gone.
The broader numbers also suggest why this tie feels so difficult to overturn. Jagiellonia have already shown they can deliver big scores in Europe, and last season they went as far as conceding four in an away match against Ajax. They also scored at least four goals as recently as 26 February 2026, which underlines the quality they can still produce in knockout football.
The second leg and what comes next
Thursday’s return match at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium is therefore about whether Saburtalo can make the contest competitive, or whether Jagiellonia can keep things controlled from the first whistle. If Saburtalo do not advance, the tie is also linked to the Conference League league phase, which only adds to the importance of the night.
Jagiellonia may not need another statement performance, but they will want a professional one. With a 4-0 lead, unbeaten away form in Europe and a clear grip on the tie, Siemieniec’s side are well placed to end the job in Tbilisi.
