There’s some unfinished business for the Barcelona star on the major international stage after previous setbacks.
Poland has a number of international tournament demons to exorcize before it can contend for a spot in the World Cup knockout stage.
It starts with superstar Robert Lewandowski. The 2018 tournament seemed set up for the former Bayern Munich striker to stake his claim as one of the best in the world. Instead, the towering talisman went goalless in three group-stage matches as his side flamed out.
Enter Euro 2020. With the striker at the peak of his powers amid a record-breaking season at Bayern, Poland appeared to be one of the dark-horse teams that could make a deep tournament run. But even with Lewandowski at his best, his side failed to win a match and finished last in its group.
Now as a Pot 3 team, the Poles will have to fight to try and avoid another international tournament disappointment. Qualification was secured by a 2–0 win in the playoff against possession-dominant Sweden. Their ability to make the Swedes pay despite not having much of the ball may just be the formula against top sides in Qatar.
Three losses, a narrow win and a draw in the last five matches against World Cup-bound squads doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. But with their superstar striker aging like fine wine since the 2018 failure, anything is possible.
Group C Schedule (all times Eastern)
– Mexico, Nov. 22, 11 a.m.
– Saudi Arabia, Nov. 26, 8 a.m.
– Argentina, Nov. 30, 2 p.m.
Coach
Czesław Michniewicz, hired in January 2022
Mikolaj Barbanell/ZUMA Wire/Imago Images
Players to Watch
Robert Lewandowski, forward
The Barcelona man is one of the best pure goalscorers of his generation. His machine-like precision in front of net has earned him over 600 career goals for club and country. But the question still remains as to whether Poland has enough pieces elsewhere to get him the service in the box he needs.
Piotr Zieliński, midfielder
Playing on a roaring Napoli side this season, Zieliński has been one of a number of players at their best for the Italian club. Lewandowski could use a creative presence to break lines in the midfield, and the 28-year-old has the talent to be that player. His 4.76 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes over the last year is one of the best marks among midfielders in the world.
Wojciech Szczęsny, goalkeeper
For the first time in quite a long while, Szczęsny has struggled this club season, battling through injuries as club Juventus has failed to reassert itself as the class of Italy. The 32-year-old’s run as one of the best shot-stoppers in the world might be closing, but he’ll still make Poland a difficult side to score on, particularly behind the central defense of Jan Bednarek and veteran Kamil Glik.
Mike Jones/News Images/Imago Images
Breakout Candidate
Nicola Zalewski, fullback
For a player who’s only seen 44 matches of first-team club soccer, Zalewski has garnered lots of attention around Europe. The versatile Roma rising talent has fought off injuries to start his first full first-team season, but has reportedly garnered transfer interest from Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain for the flashes of brilliance he’s shown in his young career.
The 20-year-old can play passes from any angle and is comfortable playing as a fullback or anywhere in the midfield. With young star Jakub Moder out with an ACL injury, Zalewski will likely play a key role out wide in some capacity.
World Cup History
– Ninth appearance
– Last appearance: 2018 (Group stage)
– Best finish: Third place in 1974 and 1982
Outlook and Expectations
Some 36 years have passed since Poland last reached a World Cup knockout stage. The glory of success in the 1970s and 80s is far in the rear view mirror. Groupmates Argentina, which Lewandowski himself called one of the favorites to win the tournament, and Mexico provide a difficult test if the Poles want to make it out of this group.
While this team has talent beyond just Lewandowski, the striker’s legacy with his national team could be forever changed with strong performance in Qatar. That opening match against El Tri will go a long way toward deciding Poland’s fate in Group C. Mexico, too, has struggled in the lead-up to the tournament. If the Poles can catch their first opponents out early, look for Lewandowski to assuage his World Cup woes and lead Poland to the round of 16.
World Cup Squad
GOALKEEPERS: Bartłomiej Drągowski (Spezia), Łukasz Skorupski (Bologna), Wojciech Szczęsny (Juventus)
DEFENDERS: Jan Bednarek (Aston Villa), Bartosz Bereszynski (Sampdoria), Matty Cash (Aston Villa), Kamil Glik (Benevento), Robert Gumny (Augsburg), Artur Jędrzejczyk (Legia Warsaw), Jakub Kiwior (Spezia), Mateusz Wieteska (Clermont), Nicola Zalewski (Roma)
MIDFIELDERS: Krystian Bielik (Birmingham City), Przemysław Frankowski (Lens), Kamil Grosicki (Pogon), Jakub Kaminski (Wolfsburg), Grzegorz Krychowiak (Al-Shabab), Michal Skoras (Lech Poznan), Damian Szymański (AEK Athens), Sebastian Szymański (Feyenoord), Piotr Zielinski (Napoli), Szymon Żurkowski (Fiorentina)
FORWARDS: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona), Arkadiusz Milik (Juventus), Krzysztof Piątek (Salernitana), Karol Świderski (Charlotte FC)
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