Poland are aiming to pull off a spectacular story by defeating Argentina in their final Qatar World Cup group game and moving into the knockout rounds for the first time since 1986. See Last Word on Football’s Poland predicted lineup for the Group C finale against Argentina.
Poland Predicted Lineup vs Argentina
How Poland Have Lined-up Recently
Poland have opted to play with a four-man backline during the World Cup, despite having tested with a five-at-the-back formation in the matches before the competition. The Polish side finally seem to have a settled back-four that have served them really well so far, as Czeslaw Michniewicz’s men are yet to concede a goal at the World Cup and kept two clean sheets already. Because of that, Poland are unlikely to change their reliable backline.
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They also have two solid midfielders in Grzegorz Krychowiak and Krystian Bielik, who have played major roles in helping protect the backline as well as move the ball forward well. Piotr Zielinski is the creative backbone of the side, having a lot of tricks up his sleeve to torment opposition sides. But Poland’s biggest weapon is their striker, Robert Lewandowski. The Barcelona forward has formed a solid bond with Juventus forward Arkadiusz Milik, and the two need to be at their best to defeat the sturdy Argentine backline.
Poland Recent Form and Tactics
Poland have been riding on some really topsy-turvy form in 2022 before heading into the World Cup. In their last nine games before the competition, out of which the majority took place at the UEFA Nations League, they won just four games. In fact, one could say that their form at the World Cup mirrors that – as they have drawn and won one game apiece so far.
When it comes to their tactics, Poland aren’t really too focused on dominating matches or playing the most possession-heavy football. In fact, they had 40% possession in their opening draw to Mexico and just 36% of the possession to Saudi Arabia – showing a lot of respect to their opponents. Instead, they are willing to sit back and sustain pressure in an attempt to frustrate their opposition side and force them to move out of their comfort zone.
After the Polish side are able to draw the opposition players out of the back, they look to hit them on swift counter-attacks and capitalize on whatever chance they get. Lewandowski is one of the best finishers in world football, so in him, they have someone who doesn’t take many chances to score. Milik is also very clinical, while also having the dribbling skills to get himself into key areas in the final third.
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Poland also look to threaten on set-pieces, especially on corners. But for the game against Argentina, their primary goal will be to sustain pressure and be defensively solid. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny needs to be ready to make reflex saves and bail his side out of trouble at all times. The defenders also need to be at their very best, as Poland are aware that their defensive sturdiness is a main component to decide whether or not they can make it past the group stages.
Poland Injuries to Consider
Fortunately for Poland, they don’t have any injury problems heading into this massive game. The only injury issue they suffered was before the World Cup, when no.2 goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski picked up an injury and will be ruled out for the entirety of the competition.
Poland Predicted XI
Wojciech Szczęsny, Matty Cash, Jakub Kiwior, Kamil Glik, Bartosz Bereszyński, Krystian Bielik, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Piotr Zieliński, Przemysław Frankowski, Arkadiusz Milik, Robert Lewandowski
Last Word on Football recognise Qatar’s human rights abuses and instances of corruption taking place throughout the nation and in the background of the World Cup. Learn more about some of the issues surrounding the World Cup here.
