On a rainy day in Poland, Medyk Konin wrote a big chunk of their own history, as they registered a spectacular 4-3 comeback win over Italian champions Brescia CF, after being down 3-1 at one point in the UEFA Women's Champions League tussle.
Brescia looked superior in the first half
The Italian champions were dominant from the initial minutes, as they started to pour forward with all their attacking players and they threated to break the deadlock several times. That was ended when Barbara Bonansea put Brescia ahead with the easiest of finishes, putting the ball into an empty net after 17 minutes of play.
The script was ready for a Brescia goleada, but the hosts had other plans and they levelled in the 29th minute. Liliana Kostova fired in a splendid shot, leaving Brescia's goalkeeper with no chance of saving it. Yet the Italians forged ahead for the second time through their skipper Valentina Cernoia, who whipped a sensational free-kick to end the first half 2-1 in favour of Brescia.
The game had to start yet for Medyk Konin
After the break, Medyk Konin started to boss the game and they increased the intensity of their attack, but after failing to capitalise on a couple of occasions, it was the Italians who extended their lead through their talisman, Daniela Sabatino. She concluded a fine move composed by Bonansea and Cristiana Girelli before the ball ended on her feet.
But when the matched seemed over, it had really just begun. The Polish side reduced the gap immediately through Aleksandra Sonin, who hammered a beautiful shot to make it 2-3. A few minutes later, Sonin was once again the protagonist, this time providing the assist as she set up skipper Anna Gawronska to grab the equaliser. That goal felt like a cold shower for Brescia, with Konin breathing down their neck until they notched the winning goal through Kostova, who deceived the entire Brescia's backline by scoring directly from a corner kick.
What should we expect in the return leg?
Brescia need to put up the game of their lives if they want to emulate last season's successful campaign, when they clinched a quarter-final spot before surrendiring to eventual runners-up VfL Wolfsburg.
On the other hand, Konin have nothing to lose but everything to gain at this point/ Despite their slender advantage, they have a mental advantage over the Italians, having turned around what looked to be a 1-3 loss into a 4-3 win.