Tuesday's match against Croatia will remain in the memory of experts and fans for a long time. At times it was difficult to describe what was happening at the National Stadium in Warsaw. First, our team completely dominated strong rivals, and the culmination of a great game was a goal by Piotr ZieliĆski. Unfortunately, the Croatians scored three goals in six minutes, and with a bit of luck they could have scored even more. However, Nicola Zalewski's goal gave hope, making it 2-3.
Tomaszewski was right. “Better late than never”
In the second half, MichaĆ Probierz's team was saved by Marcin BuĆka from losing further goals. Thanks to this, the scoreboard still showed the same result, which was eventually changed by Sebastian SzymaĆski. The Fenerbahce player made a great shot from distance. At the end of the match, Dominik LivakoviÄ was sent off the field after a brutal foul on Robert Lewandowski, but the Poles were unable to deal the final blow and finish off their opponents playing with ten players. Both teams shared the points.
Why did our offensive team look really solid compared to the Croatians? According to Jan Tomaszewski, there is one reason. It's about setting up with one, not two, strikers. – This team showed today that if you play modern football, and not some, sorry, “pipid game” with two nines, you can play on equal terms with the best – said the legendary goalkeeper of the Polish national team in a post-match conversation with “Super Express”.
Then the 76-year-old admitted that he did not want to see any more combinations and experiments with the squad by the coach. – It's lucky that MichaĆ understood it. I hope he stops experimenting now. Why? Because the World Cup qualifiers are tomorrow! Every match is about the stability of the team. If we play with this formation (with one striker – ed.), fewer mistakes will be made. And that's what we're about. But this took a year and 14 meetings. But well, better late than never, he added after a while.
Finally, Tomaszewski praised the Polish Football Association for the appropriate organization and providing the players with the necessary development conditions, and summarized what he explained emotionally throughout the conversation. – Only today, after a year, they showed that they know how to play football. Why? Because you have to bet on one goalkeeper and one nine. A child in kindergarten will understand – he said, explaining the tactical aspects of playing with two strikers. Then, according to the expert, we lack an additional player in the central part of the field, which results in difficulties in positional attack. As you can see, this time Jan Tomaszewski's analyzes turned out to be accurate.
Touchstone's team has the last two Nations League matches ahead of them. In November they will play away against Portugal and at home against Scotland.