Image via @LaczyNasPilka on Twitter
Poland kicked off their World Cup campaign at Stadium 974 tonight, with a missed penalty from Robert Lewandowski the only real opportunity that came the way of the away side.
I say the away side, as even on television you could sense that Mexican fans had filled the 40,000 capacity stadium for their nation’s opening game.
The first fifteen minutes really set the template for the rest of the match; Mexico very dominant in possession and Poland bypassing the midfield to kick long balls up the pitch to Lewandowski. His chances of reeling in these launched efforts up to him was variable, and it was painfully obvious he needed a partner up front to help him with this. When Arek Milik was introduced in the 85th minute, Poland looked far more of a threat for the next ten minutes (including stoppage time) than they had all game.
There was really only one glimmer of attacking quality for Poland, and it led to the penalty, when the Mexican defence cracked under pressure and the ball was slipped to Lewandowski. He was felled by both a shirt pull and a stray leg, and whilst initially not given VAR intervened to award the penalty. Unfortunately, the penalty was saved as Ochoa managed to get down quickly enough to his left.
For the next half an hour Mexico retained much of the ball, and Poland continued to play long balls which often failed to find their target. When Milik was introduced Poland were far better at keeping the ball in advanced positions, so you would hope that Michniewicz has learnt his lesson and will be using two strikers in the game against Saudi Arabia.
Despite the doom-and-gloom felt after the missed penalty and the anti-football on display, there are quite a few positives to take from the match. Firstly, the back four looked like a great way of neutralising a front three and each and every one of Cash, Glik, Kiwior and Bereszyński played well. The midfield was alright as well when the ball wasn’t being launched over their heads and the introduction of Krystian Bielik might have been better timed as a late-game sub for Krychowiak, who played alright but got progressively worse, including the terrible decision to take a shot from about 35 yards with 90 seconds to go just as Poland were on their most dangerous counter of the whole game.
Nicola Zalewski was a shadow of himself today, and I hope he can pick himself up if he is to remain a player that can be of use to Poland in the next two games at the tournament.
What next? Poland play Saudi Arabia on Saturday afternoon in what is now a must-win game, and you would assume we will see some changes in the tactics to see Lewandowski receive some more support. I’m reminded of the last round of Nations League games, when the football was so terrible against Holland that Michniewicz correctly implemented some changes for the match against Wales. We can only hope he is willing to fall on his defensive football sword once more.
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