Poland left it late to secure qualification to this summer’s European Championships, progressing by way of penalty shootout versus 10-man Wales back in March.
They finished third in what looked like an easy qualifying group, placing behind Albania and Czechia whilst narrowly beating Moldova to third by a single point.
What to expect:
Poland looked like a beatable side in need of a revamp in qualifying, as they continued to struggle against weaker sides in the buildup to the competition. With the reliance on the legendary Robert Lewandowski yielding progressively weaker results, the Polish setup looks in need of a young star to break through.
Poland will likely be without him for their opener,
Things aren’t going to get any easier: Group D, equipped with France, Netherlands and Austria, awaits Michal Probierz’s side as they look to break out of one of the most competitive groups the tournament has to offer.
Star player:
FC Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has been the poster boy for the Poland National team for over a decade, and for good reason. The 35-year-old is the top scorer in his nation’s history with 82 goals across 148 caps and has cemented himself as the most important figure in the Polish dressing room. Approaching the end of his career, the tournament could mark one last dance for Lewandowski in the national team and a chance to sign off an incredible international career in style.
That said, the Pole is clearly getting slower with each passing season and his once-outrageous output is beginning to look a little more average. Lewandowski still has a keen eye for goal, tallying 19 for Barcelona in La Liga this season, but his overall play has definitely taken a knock and doubts are mounting regarding his ability to lead Poland from the front.
Young player: Nicola Zalewski
Operating on the left side of midfield, 22-year-old Nicola Zalewski has become an important creator under Probierz, tallying three assists in four games since following his manager into the side from the U21s. Playing a bit-part role for Daniele De Rossi’s Roma but showing his best form for his country, the tournament provides a perfect opportunity for the youngster to stand out amongst an ageing side.
Manager: Michal Probierz
Albeit technically unbeaten since the Pole’s appointment in September 2023, Probierz’ side is yet to face a team of any real quality, gathering wins against Faroe Islands, Latvia and Estonia whilst drawing versus Czechia, Moldova and Wales.
Despite his time working with the youth teams, Probierz usually looks to rely on experience when deciding his staring team, with Lewandowski leading the line and Wojciech Szczęsny in net. The squad lacks any threatening pace going forward and could rely on set pieces to take advantage of their strengths.
Opting for a three-back formation during his tenure as Poland coach thus far, it is clear that Probierz is warming up for plenty of defensive security. This comes at a cost, though, as his side continues to struggle up the pitch, only scoring more than two goals on one occasion (5-1 v Estonia).
Another important note is that Probierz only has a handful of matches under his belt, and faces the three toughest matches of his managerial career back-to-back-to-back. It will be interesting to see how the coach adapts his side to face better opposition.
Schedule:
Poland v Netherlands – 16/06/2024 – Volksparkstadion
Poland v Austria – 21/06/2024 – Olympiastadion Berlin
France v Poland – 25/06/2024 – Signal Iduna Park