Poland vs Malta preview: Players and Probierz need to win more convincingly to stave off critics

Image via @LaczyNasPilka on Twitter

After the dull spectacle that Friday night provided in Poland’s first World Cup qualifier, the narrow 1-0 win over Lithuania, the onus will be on Michał Probierz and his team to show that they are a cut above some of the other teams in the group.

With all the build-up to what should have been a dominant display against Lithuania, instead we had an tempestuous reaction in the opposite direction, as were it not for Łukasz Skorupski and Robert Lewandowski at either ends of the pitch we could be sat talking about a new Selekcjoner.

It feels a little harsh on Probierz, but it would be equally fair to say that the last eight months of his time in charge are more disappointing than the first eight months he had at the helm.

Clearly there are issues of confidence affecting some of the personnel Probierz favours, but there are times when as a coach he makes mistakes, be it tactically or in terms of team selection.

Certainly you would accuse Probierz of the latter after Friday, in hindsight a mistake to start the game with Jakub Piotrowski and Karol Świderski. There is no shortage of disdain for this pair after lacklustre displays against Lithuania, which is a little harsh, but I would be shocked to see either start again against Malta.

At this morning’s press conference with Probierz and Jakub Kamiński, there was talk from both about possible changes to the starting line-up, as well as a desire to be more dominant than Poland were on Friday.

I personally would predict a starting line-up something along these lines for tomorrow night:

Krzysztof Piątek did nothing to dissuade the notion that he should now be ahead of Świderski in the pecking order, and for what it’s worth I agree and like many predict him to start against Malta. As for who will likely assume Piotrowski’s place, I’m torn between Mateusz Bogusz and Kacper Urbański. 

Whilst I would personally prefer Urbański to start, Probierz will probably pick Bogusz given his effectiveness after he came on against Lithuania. 

I’ve also seen some suggest that Probierz may switch up the wing-backs as well, and Kamiński’s assist gave some food for thought. Given how well Matty Cash played for the time he was on the pitch however, I can’t see him being dropped. Przemysław Frankowski was not perfect but again I feel is more likely to start than not. I’d prefer Kamiński to start, but Probierz does not like to make wholesale changes very often.

As on Friday, I’ll be covering the game over on Twitter if you want to see my thoughts as the game pans out.

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