Poland’s World Cup prospects should not solely hinged on Robert Lewandowski.
Few different gamers, nonetheless, will carry as a lot weight of expectation.
The 34-year-old Barcelona striker has seamlessly transferred his attacking prowess from Bayern Munich to the Spanish league.
Lewandowski set Poland on its strategy to the World Cup in March with the opening purpose within the 2-0 playoff win over Sweden, when he took his tally for the nationwide group to 75 in 129 appearances.
However time is operating out for Lewandowski to steer Poland via one other fruitful interval like Grzegorz Lato and Zbigniew Boniek, who led Polish soccer’s golden period within the Nineteen Seventies and Nineteen Eighties. Poland performed in 4 straight World Cups, ending third in West Germany in 1974 and in Spain in 1982.
Lewandowski, Poland’s captain, has scored wherever he has performed, racking up an unbelievable 312 targets in 384 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern and Borussia Dortmund.
WORLD CUP WAITING
There’s just one place Lewandowski hasn’t scored — at a World Cup.
Lewandowski did not get on the mark in his solely earlier event look in Russia in 2018, when Jan Bednarek and Grzegorz Krychowiak bought the group’s solely targets as Poland was eradicated from the group stage after losses to Senegal and Colombia. The already eradicated Poland then beat Japan in its closing recreation.
Lewandowski is Poland coach Czesław Michniewicz’s first title on the group sheet. The one inquiries to be answered are who performs alongside him — and the way.
“There is no such thing as a level in discussing whether or not Robert must have a second striker subsequent to him. It’s nonsense,” Michniewicz mentioned after Poland’s 1-0 victory in Wales in September. “In any case, at golf equipment similar to Bayern or Barcelona, he can play as the one striker and rating tons of of targets. We merely have to offer correct service.”
TOUGH RIVALS
Poland faces Chile for a closing World Cup warmup on Nov. 16, earlier than opening its marketing campaign in Group C in opposition to Mexico on Nov. 22. Poland then performs Saudi Arabia 4 days later earlier than a probably decisive closing recreation in opposition to Argentina on Nov. 28.
The conflict in Ukraine has been evident as a backdrop to Poland’s World Cup preparations. Lewandowski has been carrying a captain’s armband within the Ukrainian flag’s colors, whereas Poland has served as a venue for Ukrainian groups to play “house” video games in European competitions since Russia invaded the nation on Feb. 24.
Poland was scheduled to play Russia in Moscow in a World Cup qualifying playoff however refused to participate in protest in opposition to the conflict. FIFA subsequently excluded Russia from the competitors, giving Poland a bye into the subsequent spherical, the place it defeated Sweden.
Additionally, defender Maciej Rybus was dropped from the nationwide group by Michniewicz after the participant signed a two-year contract with Russian group Spartak Moscow on June 11.
INJURY CONCERNS
Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny is the group’s starter however he has needed to deal with accidents in latest months, limiting his enjoying time for Juventus. The 32-year-old Szczęsny has made greater than 200 Serie A appearances, after 132 within the Premier League.
After 66 appearances for Poland, Szczęsny’s expertise is a valued asset for the group. But when his harm issues proceed, Bologna goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski, Spezia’s Bartłomiej Drągowski and Copenhagen’s Kamil Grabara are all good choices.
Bednarek scored in Poland’s final World Cup look and shall be anticipated to type a formidable partnership with the skilled Kamil Glik because the final line of protection.
Krychowiak will lend defensive assist from midfield, whereas attacking midfielder Piotr Zieliński will strive conduct play and create possibilities for Lewandowski. Zieliński is steadily certainly one of Napoli’s prime performers.
Nonetheless, Lewandowski will stay the important thing participant if Poland is to succeed in the knockout phases of the World Cup for the primary time since 1986.
Supervisor: Czeslaw Michniewicz
(with inputs from AP)
Poland’s World Cup report:
| Performed | Gained | Drew | Misplaced | GF | GA |
| 34 | 16 | 5 | 13 | 46 | 45 |
When and the place is Poland enjoying on the planet cup?
November 22 – Mexico vs Poland – 9:30 PM – Stadium 974
November 26 – Poland vs Saudi Arabia – 6.30 PM – Schooling Metropolis Stadium
December 1 – Poland vs Argentina – 12:30 AM – Stadium 974
The place can I watch Poland’s matches within the FIFA World Cup 2022?
FIFA World Cup shall be dwell telecast on Sports18 and Sports18 HD in India.
The place can I dwell stream Poland’s matches within the FIFA World Cup 2022?
FIFA World Cup 2022 shall be dwell streamed on VOOT Choose and JioTV.
