Spain vs Poland: Both sides looking to regroup after poor Euro start
Spain will be looking to rebound after a poor start to their Euro campaign as they take on Poland on Saturday. La Roja were frustrated time and time again by Sweden, whose goalkeeper, Robin Olsen put in a top notch performance to repel Spain’s attempts on goal. Of course, Sweden were also helped by the disappointing showing from Alvaro Morata, who was guilty of missing not one, but several golden opportunities, thus incurring the wrath of Spain’s fans. Morata unfortunately has already been blasted by a fair share of La Roja followers as he again fluffed his lines during a scoreless draw with Portugal during a warm-up match prior to this tournament.
That being said, Luis Enrique is expected to stick with the Juventus striker up front – regardless of how fans may feel about that. Although skipper Sergio Busquets now has posted a negative COVID-19 test, it’s not likely he’ll feature in the starting XI. As things stand, Spain, who are the joint-most decorated team in this competition alongside Germany, aren’t in trouble just yet. They do have one point, and if they can get the better of Poland, will put themselves in a great position to secure passage to the round of 16. And depending on how things in the Sweden-Slovakia tie, Spain could technically finish their group as top seed for the next phase.
Of course, that’s thinking too far ahead, and Spain will be firmly focused on the task ahead: beating Poland. Their opponents also endured a disappointing matchday one, as they were beaten 2-1 by Slovakia and now will be without Grzegorz Krychowiak after he picked up two yellows in a frustrating day for Paulo Sousa’s side. Robert Lewandowski, fresh off a record-breaking season with Bayern Munich, was shackled and harassed throughout, meaning that the 32-year-old superstar was unable to have any sort of impact on the game.
Spain’s players will know of the threat Lewandowski poses. Although there are no Real Madrid players in the squad – namely Sergio Ramos, who probably won’t remember Lewandowski’s four-goal haul for Dortmund against them in the 2013 Champions League semi-finals fondly – there are plenty of Barcelona players in this group who will still have nightmares following Bayern’s 8-2 mauling of them back in 2020.
Poland also do have a good track record when it comes to playing in Spain. Of their seven prior matches, the Orły have lost just one, while winning three and drawing the other three. Yet that doesn’t extend to when it actually comes playing against Spain: of their ten games, Poland have won just one. The other nine have resulted in losses, including a humiliating 6-0 loss the last time the two sides met in June 2010.
Still, they’re not out of it just yet. With Sweden managing to grind out a win against Slovakia thanks to a penalty, Poland could very well put themselves back in the running to qualify if they can pick up at least one point against Spain.
Of course, Spain will be keen on not allowing that to happen, as they’ll still be aiming to finish as one of the top two sides in this quartet. Sweden currently occupy that place, but Spain could pull level with a win and top them on goal differential, depending on the result of this upcoming game.
In short, both Spain and Poland will be desperate to get back on track after a poor start. Whoever – if anyone – wins this game could really upset the proverbial apple card in Group E as we head into matchday three.
Will Spain reassert themselves and prove they should be taken seriously as title contenders? Or will Poland’s excellent record on Spanish soil help them overcome a foe who’s caused them heartbreak again and again?
