Before Pogoń Szczecin Vs Wieczysta, the conversation is not just about a match. It is about control: who can dictate the game, who can force mistakes, and whether Oscar Garcia's side can keep Efthymis Koulouris away from the area where he does his best work.
That is the clearest thread running through Sunday's meeting at 14:45. Koulouris returns to Pogoń Szczecin as an opponent after two seasons in which he played for the club and became the top scorer in PKO Ekstraklasa. Garcia knows the danger, and he did not hide it. His message was simple: Koulouris is a threat, but Pogoń cannot treat Wieczysta Kraków as a one-man team.
That matters because the coach's plan is not only defensive. Garcia said Pogoń will try to keep Koulouris far from the penalty area for as long as possible, but he also made clear that his team must attack at home and avoid giving the ball away cheaply. In other words, this is not a match about sitting back and hoping the danger passes. It is about using possession well enough to make Wieczysta defend, while also protecting against the kind of turnover that can hand Koulouris a quick chance.
The warning signs from Pogoń's previous league match add another layer to that idea. They drew 1:1 with Wisła Płock despite taking 22 shots, which suggests volume alone will not be enough if the finishing or final pass is not sharp. That is why the arrival of Jordi Sanchez from Wisła Kraków this week is so interesting. He was identified as the current scoring leader in the season, and he may make his debut for Pogoń on Sunday. If he does, the team suddenly gains another forward who can change the terms of the attack.
Garcia's comments about Sanchez were also revealing. He described him as a good player who can score goals and help the team, while adding that the important thing is for him to celebrate victories in Pogoń's colours. That is a practical view, and it fits the wider message around this match: individual names matter, but only if they fit the structure of the team.
There is also the psychological edge of the fixture itself. Koulouris once helped define Pogoń's attack, and now he comes back as the player they are planning around. That creates a useful test for Garcia's side. If they limit Koulouris without becoming passive, and if Sanchez gives them an immediate lift, Pogoń can turn a reunion into a statement. If they lose the ball too easily or struggle to convert territory into real danger, the former striker could quickly become the story again.
For Pogoń Szczecin, the issue is clear. Stop Koulouris from getting comfortable, stay disciplined in possession, and make sure the home team controls the terms of the evening. That is the plan. Sunday will show how well it holds up.
