All the cliche's Polish fans have been told after a false-start for new Polish head coach Fernando Santos. Poland lost in Prague to the Czech Republic 1-3 on Friday and came out with a lucky victory over Albania 1-0 in Warsaw, in a match that likely should've ended in a draw.
After all, previous coaches, such as Leo Beenhakker and Adam Nawalka also started very poorly and worse then Santos' three points out of possible six.
The camp was short and Poland played two matches, but there is plenty we can take away from this grouping as Santos and Poland look forward to their next grouping in June.
1. Santos adjustments
Santos watched one game and made four changes for the next one. One of them was Bartosz Salamon as centerback. Salamon wasn't originally called up to the team, until he was summoned as a emergency callup after Kamil Piatkowski suffered a injury in the last match day for his club Gent. By starting Salamon at centerback, he moved Jakub Kiwior, who was underwhelming at the position on Friday, to left back. The match started effectively with Poland playing a 4-1-4-1 and it changed throughout the match and eventually a 4-4-2 formation was set with Karol Swiderski and Robert Lewandowski up top. Santos wanted his team to be unpredictable, to keep creating offense and get the ball forward. When something wasn't working, Santos reacted quickly and send the message to his team. Several times seen on the sidelines directing and changing tactics on the fly and in the ear of Karol Linetty and Swiderski. Santos is a veteran at this stage and no surprise he's a quick learner and not afraid to change plans.
2. Glik-type player is a must
The CB combination in the first match of Jan Bednarek and Jakub Kiwior looks great on paper. Both players in the Premier league. Bednarek now a veteran on the NT. Kiwior a big money transfer by Arsenal and appeared in all Poland matches at last year's World Cup. But both players have the same flaws and are too much alike. Neither of the players is too physical, neither of them has that "bite" to their game, that "Glik-type" mentality. Neither is too loud and both of them struggle are not leaders. On Monday, Santos started Salamon. Who, despite playing for Lech Poznan, has that attitude of a leader. He was seem moving his arms, directing teammates to move into different spots and who to cover, and using his voice to send a message if things seemed to break down. Salamon wasn't a type of shutdown defender, but he provided what Poland lacked. Leadership and toughness in a position where the play was soft just a few days earlier. It'll be interesting to see how Santos moves from this point. Reunites Salamon and Bednarek against Moldova? Or tries to see what a partnership of Salamon and Glik would look like?
3. Karbownik and Bielik not good enough
Both players Michal Karbownik and Krystian Bielik are having good seasons and both have potential to play for the national team at one point, even becoming impact players. But, their lack of experience due to either struggles with form or injuries, and that both are playing in lower leagues, just shows neither are able to help Poland. Not only is their talent level too low for the rest of the team, but both players are too soft for the national team. Czech exposed both players on Friday. Both players got manhandled and it's no surprise both of them were nowhere to be found in the squad that took on Albania. It would seem unlikely either of these guys will be back in June. Karbownik has a chance to be playing in the bundesliga next season. Bielik on the other hand will need a transfer.
4. Szczesny is truly #1
Not that there was much doubt after his incredible world cup, Wojtek Szczesny has continued his top form for the NT in both of the matches this weekend. Even in a 1-3 loss to the Czech, it was his defense that let him down. And, if not for Szczesny, the scoreline could've been much worse. Against Albania he came up huge as well, including a late minute save that ensured the 3-points for Poland. His name is already written in pen, along with Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski as guaranteed starters next match and everybody can be sure Poland's net in protected by one of the best in the world.
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