Legia Warszawa will play a closed friendly against Israel's Hapoel Beer Szewa this Friday, following two successful training matches in Herzogenaurach. The game, which will not be broadcast, aims to give the legionaries a chance to test tactics before the 2025/26 season starts.

How have Legia's previous friendlies gone?

In the first match Legia beat Bayern Munich's reserves 2:0, and the second ended in a 2:2 draw with FC Nurnberg's reserves. Coach Marek Papszun highlighted that both games allowed assessment of new players' form and adaptation to an intensive training rhythm. "It's not easy – we train daily in Warsaw, and a good sparring partner is rare," he said.

Who is Hapoel Beer Szewa's manager?

Hapoel is led by 45‑year‑old Ran Kozuch, who has been in charge since July 1, 2024. He spent his entire career in Israel, starting as an assistant at Hapoel Petach Tikwa, then at Kiryat Shmona and Hapoel Hadera. His first head‑coach role was at Maccabi Netanya. Kozuch is known for demanding discipline and quick transitions to attack, which could challenge Legia.

Why does the match generate controversy?

Some Legia supporters oppose the game with the Israeli side because of the ongoing regional conflict. Questions have been raised about Polish authorities' permission for the team's visit and financing. Papszun dismissed politicising, stating "this is sport, not politics". The decision to keep the match closed is meant to ensure safety and focus solely on football.

Where does Legia stand in the Ekstraklasa table?

Legia Warszawa currently sits 6th in the Ekstraklasa with 49 points from 34 games (12W‑13D‑9L) and a recent 4‑0 win over Motor Lublin on 2026‑05‑23. With 42 goals scored and 37 conceded (+5 goal difference), the club is 11 points behind leaders Lech Poznan. The last five matches form a winning streak (WWWWW), raising hopes for a stronger season start.

What lies ahead after the friendly?

Following the closed match, Legia plans to publish a detailed report on Legia.Net, including tactical analysis and player assessments. Coach Papszun noted that the friendly result won't be decisive, but it will help identify the best performers and prepare for league competition. Fans can expect further updates before the official season kickoff.