Team news

Moskal ready for Krakow's return to action Kazmierz Moskal will look to continue his Wisla Krakow revival on Thursday when his side play their first competitive match since their remarkable Europa League progress.

Moskal rescued a Group K campaign that looked doomed to end in failure when he stepped up from his assistant role to replace Robert Maaskant as manager back in November.

Wisla's four wins from their last five matches included victories in their final two Europa League group games but they were still heading out of the competition until a 93rd-minute Odense goal saw the Poles qualify for the last 32 at the expense of Fulham.

After losing three of their first four group matches, supporters have been undoubtedly pinching themselves ever since, with the club having not kicked a ball in anger during the subsequent two months.

A run of friendlies during the Polish winter break was meant to have ended with a Super Cup clash with Legia Warsaw on Saturday but the match was called off due to security concerns.

Regardless of their lack of competitive action, Moskal's men were already facing an uphill task to maintain their European progress after drawing Standard Liege, who romped through Group B and conceded just a single goal in the process.

No other club boasted a better defensive record, while no other club had a worse one than Wisla, whose back line was breached 13 times in total.

Wisla, who have nevertheless won five of their six Europe League home games this season, are also looking for their first springtime European victory for 33 years.

Standard, meanwhile, are unbeaten in the Europa League this season, winning six and drawing two of their eight matches, with three of their victories coming away from home.

Their record is all the more remarkable considering manager Jose Riga had no previous experience managing in Europe.

Wisla Krakow vs Standard Liege

Last modified 22:52 16/02/12

Genkov snatches draw for Wisla Tsvetan Genkov snatched a late equaliser as Wisla Krakow shrugged off the early dismissal of Michael Czekaj to give themselves hope of progressing to the last 16 of the Europa League.

Visitors Standard Liege looked set to give themselves a first-leg advantage after Gohi Cyriac converted the penalty which had seen Czekaj red-carded for a professional foul in the 26th minute.

But Wisla kept fighting and will go to Belgium on level terms after grabbing their leveller two minutes from time when Maor Melikson's left-wing free-kick was slotted home by Genkov.

Melikson's set-pieces stretched the visitors in the early stages and the Israeli midfielder had the first real chance in the 22nd minute when he met a Genkov cross, but his shot was easily saved by Sinan Bolat.

Wisla came closer in the 17th minute when Melikson was fouled by Reginal Goreux 25 yards from goal and Lukasz Gargula stepped up to curl the resulting free-kick against the bar.

Melikson hit another simple chance wide before Standard threatened with a shot from Mohamed Tchite which was fumbled by Wisla keeper Sergei Pareiko to almost give the hosts the lead.

Czekaj pulled down Yoni Buyens when he was in a scoring position in the 26th minute, resulting in the red card and the spot-kick from which Cyriac put the visitors in front.

But Standard failed the make the most of their numerical advantage with a long-range Luis Seijas effort which sailed over the bar all they had to show for the rest of their efforts in the first half.

Patryk Malecki volleyed a good chance over the bar for Wisla early in the second period and then the Belgians threatened with both Seijas and Michy Batshuayi bringing saves out of Pareiko.

Wisla began to threaten as the minutes went by and forced a succession of corners in a strong spell of pressure.