Slovakia offers Poland – 24hfootnews

It is Robert Lewandowski’s turn to make his debut in this Euro. Opposed to Slovakia to inaugurate this group E in Saint-Petersburg, it had to show a much more conquering face than at the World Cup and get closer to its level of Euro 2016, where it had reached the quarterfinals of final. Deprived of Milik and Piatek for this competition, Paulo Sousa of course entrusted the keys of the attack to his captain, the star of Bayern Munich, supported by Jozwiak and Zielinski in front. Faced with this 4-3-3, the Slovaks presented a 4-2-3-1 with Hamsik in support of Duda in the middle, and the excellent Skriniar in defense.

Slovakia showed a very involved face in the start of the meeting, delivering aggressive and fairly efficient pressing. The Poles responded with better technical mastery and long stretches of ball conservation supposed to tire their opponents. Quickly, we noticed problems in the defense of the white eagles, too easily taken back on the Slovak incursions. Duda caused trouble for the first time (14th), before seeing Mak eliminate Jóźwiak and Bereszyński, then open the scoring in a somewhat lucky way since the ball bounced off the post to enter the goal with the help of Szczęsny’s back ( 0-1, 18th).

Krychowiak’s red cut short Polish highlight

Already led, Poland was still suffering, like this problematic defense and this new deceptive strike from Kucka (27th). The second attempt by the Parma midfielder, with a header this time, found the gloves of Szczęsny (33rd). The attempts of Krychowiak (34th) and Lewandowski (42nd) were not enough as an effective response. The break was undoubtedly good for Poland as they managed to equalize 40 seconds after returning to the pitch. Linetty was at the reception of a nice movement between Klich and Rybus, well helped by the displacement of Lewandowski, whose call took two defenders with him (1-1, 46th).

Sousa’s men showed much better intentions. Linetty even came close to the double on a new donation from Klich (51st) but the highlight stopped with the second yellow card, ten minutes later from Krychowiak (62nd). At ten, the Poles retreated and suffered the game again. Rybus countered Haraslín’s attempt (68th) but the corner turned into a goal ball for Skriniar, author of a series of attackers (1-2, 69th). Led and outnumbered, the task became too complicated for a team from Poland, which already did not seem very ready.

Yet at the end of the meeting, the situation could have changed. Lewandowski tried (89th), while the center blocked from Puchacz finished just above (88th), Bednarek’s pivot shot at the post (90th + 1) and this strike from the left of Świderski ended his race in the Dubravka gloves (90th + 4). All these occasions, in vain. The Euro started badly for Poland but conversely, Slovakia won and took the lead, pending the meeting between Spain and Sweden this evening. She has already taken a big step towards qualifying for the next round.

Relive the film of the meeting on our live.

The classification of group E.