Images via Mikolaj Barbanell/Shutterstock
There’s been a lot of debate in Poland regarding what formation Czesław Michniewicz will pick for the first World Cup match on Tuesday. Over the past few matches, Michniewicz has experimented between using a back three with two wing-backs as well as a back four. The back four was a particularly interesting change for the second half against Chile on Wednesday night, and it looked like a change that benefited the abilities of Bartosz Bereszyński at the left-back position.
Advantages of a possible back-four are not just limited to Bereszyński. It would allow Nicola Zalewski to play in a more left-midfield role, accentuating his attacking qualities, and also it would allow space for Jakub Kamiński to be a part of the starting XI on the right of the midfield ahead of Matty Cash at right-back, which would be a very exciting right-hand side given Kamiński’s form and Cash’s ability.
Of course, what benefits the team going forward by playing a back-four might well be lost when the centre-backs have possesion. Jakub Kiwior is a good ball-playing defender, but if it is Kamil Glik or Jan Bednarek lining up next to him, they do not possess the same on-ball quality and that could cost Poland.
In my opinion, it’s most likely that that Michniewicz will start with one of his favoured systems before changing to the other at some point in the match depending on what is required. Poland therefore might start with three centre-backs before taking off a centre-back and a striker to shift from a 3-5-2 to a 4-5-1 or even a 4-2-3-1, depending on the personnel Michniewicz thinks will best deal with Mexico’s threat.
Cash stated in the press conference today that he is very comfortable as either a right-back or wing-back, and whilst it’s true that playing with wing-backs would suit Cash’s attacking capabilities, it would be a difficult decision to overlook a system that enables Kamiński to be on the pitch.
We already know that either system will require Poland to play on the counter, and this is what we have been told to expect by the players and by Michniewicz in recent weeks. Personally, I would expect Poland to start with a back-four before either going to the back-three or a more midfield-heavy formation (like the 4-2-3-1) at some point in the second half depending on the scoreline.
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