Image via @OfficialUSS1919 on Twitter
Last night saw Krzysztof Piątek get his first minutes on the pitch for Salernitana, coming on as a substitute in the 55th minute against Empoli with the game tied at 1-1.
His first significant action was to collect the ball and run into the near-side corner, where he played the ball off an Empoli defender to win a corner, from which Salernitana duly scored. About five minutes later, Piątek came deep to win the ball and ended up near his own corner flag, duly shielding the ball out for a goal kick. From the resulting hoof upfield, he took a knee to the small of his back. It was shortly after this that Empoli equalised with a deflected shot, completely changing the momentum of the match.
After these not quite so great involvements in the game, Piątek went quiet for a few minutes, eventually popping back up when he powerfully carried the ball into the box on the far side and forced a good save from the keeper after he struck a left-footed effort well towards the opposite bottom corner. His involvement kept growing, winning some good headers and playing very unselfishly. Despite his efforts, the game ended 2-2.
Piątek’s performance was one of a player who knew what to do and when; it was just missing a goal or assist. His quality was apparent, and it looks like he could end up developing a good partnership with Boulaye Dia, as the two of them were causing a lot of problems together before Dia was substituted.
It seems like I’ve been writing about Piątek constantly this summer, and it is true I’ve written more about him than most, but it’s nice to finally see him back on a football pitch as opposed to in the gossip columns or in the stands. Last night showed that Serie A is the league that suits him best, and that can only be good for him, Salernitana, and hopefully the Polish national team as we approach another international break, and then the World Cup.
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