Five fat years in football, one World Cup that changed everything. The first three matches with the new manager made us feel like before Adam Nawałka's term of office. Draw against Italy 1-1, against Ireland 1-1 and defeat Portugal 2-3. The results do not indicate this, but we have a lot of problems with the style of the game.
Back to reality
The World Cup performed by our team was a fatal culmination of five beautiful years. It would seem that we have never had such a strong representation in terms of the class of players as we do now. Krzysztof Piątek turns virtually every contact with the ball into a goal, Robert Lewandowski is the best Polish footballer of the last decade, and the ball listens to Piotr Zieliński and does exactly what the player orders it. Unfortunately, the first matches showed a lot of problems in other positions.
Empty center of the field, no wings
During Adam Nawałka's term, wings were our strong point. Kamil Grosicki, together with Jakub Błaszczykowski and his supporter Łukasz Piszczek, flanked the actions of our staff. Grzegorz Krychowiak, who was in excellent shape, dominated in the midfield. Unfortunately, we no longer have these advantages, and the first problems became visible during friendly matches before World Championships.
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Currently, Grzegorz Krychowiak is in a much better shape than during the World Cup. However, he is far from the form in which he was during EURO 2016. Perhaps this is also due to the role assigned to him in the team. He is a typical defensive midfielder who has trouble playing the ball. There is a visible lack of Łukasz Piszczek, who was able to surprise his rivals on the right side of the field. He is replaced in this position by Bartosz Bereszyński, but so far he is far behind his older friend.
The entry of Kamil Grosicki and Jakub Błaszczykowski in the second half showed how much depends in our national team on the play of the wingers. The problem is that their younger successors are not visible. Rafał Kurzawa is distinguished only by the fact that he can perfectly pass the ball. On the other hand, he is completely lost in defense, and he is also unable to introduce dynamics to the action. Mateusz Klich does not bring as much quality as Jakub Błaszczykowski, who is at his best disposal.
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Errors in setting up the defense
In turn, Kamil Glik, who has been the mainstay of our defense so far, does not seem to get along with Jan Bednarek yet. The Glik-Pazdan duo was reliable, but the player of Legia Warszawa is not in the best shape, which was especially visible at the World Cup. Therefore, Jerzy Brzęczek is looking for a new partner for Kamil Glik in the center of defense. Jan Bednarek - despite his excellent physical qualities - does not yet have adequate experience, and as a result he makes fatal mistakes. The lack of a team makes itself felt, it is enough to mention that this season he has only played in four games for Southampton.
Perhaps an alternative would be to move Artur Jędrzejczak in the place of Jan Bendarek. The legionnaire is returning to form at his club, but he plays his matches in the center of defense. Undoubtedly, there is a need to find a replacement for Maciej Rybus, whose speed may be a recipe for the lack of wings. In the left back it is more of a necessity, as there is currently no candidate for the left back.
Poland - Portugal 2: 3
Starting line-up: Łukasz Fabiański - Bartosz Bereszyński, Jan Bednarek, Kamil Glik, Artur Jędrzejczyk - Grzegorz Krychowiak, Mateusz Klich, Rafał Kurzawa, Piotr Zieliński - Robert Lewandowski, Krzysztof Piątek.
Goals:
Krzysztof Piątek 18 ′
Andre Silva 31 ′
Kamil Glik 42 ′ (GS)
Bernardo Silva 52 ′
Jakub Błaszczykowski 77 ′
Division A Group 3 table
- Portugal 6 points
- Poland 1 points
- Italy 1 points
