22 June 00:00: Group D Matchday 2 – Poland vs Austria

In their second group encounter on June 22, Poland, who suffered a defeat against the Netherlands in the opening round, faces off against Austria, both seeking redemption. Key man Robert Lewandowski is expected to make a surprise return to action after recovering from injury, a major boost for the Polish squad.

Poland currently ranks 28th in FIFA, and their loss to the Netherlands highlighted defensive weaknesses, particularly in midfield and the defensive third. To secure a positive result against Austria, Poland must shore up their defense and avoid repeating past mistakes.

Lewandowski, who missed the first game due to injury, has shown quick recovery and is likely to feature prominently in the upcoming match. His impressive performance last season with Barcelona (49 appearances, 26 goals, 9 assists) underlines his attacking prowess. Over the past three European Cups, he has consistently scored goals. Historically, Poland has had a favorable record against Austria, with a 3-2-0 unbeaten record in their five previous encounters.

Prior to the match, defender Wojciech Walukiewicz acknowledged the challenge, stating that “the game against Austria will be tough, both teams are evenly matched. They have strong players in every position, and we’re prepared.” Meanwhile, Krysztof Frankowski emphasized the need for tactical and physical preparation, despite the perceived superiority of their squad.

Austria, ranked 25th by FIFA, lost narrowly to France in their opener, showcasing their high-press tactics. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann relies heavily on this approach, and while Austria’s performance was competitive, they need to improve their finishing against Poland.

Nagelsmann expects Poland to field a three-man backline in attack and a five-man backline in defense. He confirms Lewandowski’s starting role and highlights the high-stakes nature of the match, viewing it as a potential eliminator. In the first game, he deployed Sasa Cirkovic in the central role, and Cirkovic expressed confidence in adapting and capitalizing on Poland’s vulnerabilities.

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