Without Lewandowski, the Polish team faces countless difficulties when facing the Dutch team.
Comments, performance of Poland vs Netherlands
Having only passed the group stage once after the last 4 EURO appearances, the Polish team is not highly appreciated at the tournament in Germany. It is even more difficult for coach Michał Probierz’s team, when they are in the same group with France, the Netherlands and Austria.
However, fans can completely trust coach Michal Probierz, as Poland has not lost since he took power in September 2023. After 8 matches under the new coach, “the “Bang” drew 2 and won 6 matches. Prominent among them is the victory on penalties against Wales in the play-off, helping Poland win a ticket to EURO 2024.
Poland’s first opponent in the EURO 2024 campaign is the Netherlands – the team they have not been able to defeat after the last 12 encounters (draw 5, lose 7). According to Opta data, the Dutch team is the team with the 6th highest chance of winning the tournament with a rate of 5.1%, right behind Portugal (9.2%) and above Italy (5%).
The Dutch team has an outstanding confrontation record with Poland, and also possesses equal strength across all lines. Memphis Depay was an impressive player in the pre-season friendly period with 1 goal and 1 assist, after 2 matches against Canada and Iceland. Depay is only 5 goals away from equaling the achievement of Robin Van Persie – the striker with the most goals in Dutch football history.
Besides the high performing attack, coach Ronald Koeman’s defense also shows peace of mind before EURO. Virgil Van Dijk and his teammates have kept clean sheets in 6 of the last 7 matches.
The Polish “white eagle” may find it difficult to resist the power of the Dutch “orange tornado” in tonight’s match.
Although he has many advantages, coach Ronald Koeman still has difficult problems to solve. The 61-year-old coach lost Frankie De Jong and Teun Koopmeines due to injury, before having to call up two additional young players Joshua Zirkzee and Ian Maatsen.
Ian Maatsen will likely still be the number 3 choice at left back, after Nathan Ake and Micky Van de Ven.
Denzel Dumfries certainly takes the starting spot as he is the player with the second most assists in the EURO qualifiers (5), an achievement only inferior to Portugal’s Bruno Fernandes.
Striker Memphis Depay contributed to 2 goals after 2 friendly matches before EURO.
On the Polish side, their number 1 star – Robert Lewandowski – still leaves the possibility of playing. The Barcelona striker suffered a thigh injury in a friendly match with Türkiye and has not set a return date.
Replacing Lewandowski will likely be virtual number 9 Karol Swiderski or former AC Milan striker Krzysztof Piatek. Leading the Polish midfield is midfielder Piotr Zielinski – 2022/23 Serie A champion.
Score prediction: Poland 1-3 Netherlands