Legia welcome Lokeren on matchday one
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Article summary
Legia Warszawa take on Belgian newcomers KSC Lokeren OV in Group L hoping for an improvement on their last UEFA Europa League group stage campaign.
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Legia Warszawa had a tough time in last season's UEFA Europa League group stage but will hope for a brighter start as they take on Belgian newcomers KSC Lokeren OV in Group L.
Form guide
• Lokeren have yet to lose in four encounters with Polish sides – though three of those matches ended in draws.
• Legia are unbeaten in three European home encounters this season (W2 D1). They lost their first five UEFA Europa League group stage games last season without scoring, a 2-0 matchday six win at Apollon Limassol FC sparing them a point-less campaign.
• Group stage debutants Lokeren have lost their last two European away fixtures.
Trivia and links
• Legia's Croatian midfielder Ivica Vrdoljak turns 31 the day after the Lokeren game. He turned 30 the day after a 1-0 loss at SS Lazio in last season's competition. Lokeren winger Besart Abdurahimi was a trainee at NK Zagreb while Vrdoljak was a first-team player there.
• Lokeren come into the game having played exactly 50 UEFA club competition matches, with their record reading: W21 D11 L18.
• Legia striker Orlando Sá and Lokeren left-back Arthur were briefly team-mates at CD Nacional in early 2011 while both players were out on loan.
The coaches
• Henning Berg took charge of Legia at the start of 2014. The former Blackburn Rovers FC, Manchester United FC and Rangers FC defender was capped 100 times by Norway. As a coach, he has held the reins at FK Lyn, Lillestrøm SK and – for just 57 days – Blackburn.
• Lokeren coach since 2010, Peter Maes spent a big chunk of the 1990s as a back-up goalkeeper for RSC Anderlecht, later becoming No1 at KSK Beveren and R. Standard de Liège. He made his name as a coach by leading KV Mechelen back into the top division in 2006/07.
