VS
- Latest events
POLAND
·
After
being great in qualification, Poland feels this could be their tournament. The
preparation for the Euro, however, wasn’t brilliant, with the goalscoring
machine failing.
·
Adam
Nawalka will hope that was only due to being playing friendly games, because it’s
going forward that the Polish are a force to be reckoned, as their defense is
their Achilles’ heel.
·
All
eyes will be on Lewandowski which will require a player like Milik to take the
chances he will likely get.
NOR.IRELAND
·
Back
in the big stage, Northern Ireland might be cursing their luck in the draw, but
being in France it’s a feat on its own and now they just have to play the game.
·
O’Neill
will know that the other teams will underestimate his squad, but knows that he
can challenge them to a duel of will and that can help them surprise Europe.
·
Kyle
Lafferty will thrive in the environment, ready to shine in the biggest stage he’s
ever seen, and show he can be a force in the Premier League.
- Expected Lineups
VS
- Areas to follow
POLAND
·
Defense
It’s going to be a great
test for Poland’s defense, as they will face a striker as big as them, and with
Northern Ireland’s wingers always looking to go forward, the full backs will
need to always look on going back, whilst being an influential factor in the
attack.
A game where
concentration will be key, Pazdan and Glik will have to better themselves, as
that’s one of the faults of Polish center backs.
·
Midfield
With Krychowiak holding
the midfield, Zielinski will be the one that will be the end of the passes
bombed up to the duo Lewa/Milik, looking to Kuba and Grosicki, two wingers that
are able to take a cross or cut inside to create danger in the middle. Expect
few touches on the ball and a lot of movement between lines from this Polish
midfield.
·
Attack
Give him half a chance,
and Lewandowski will surely make you pay. A goalscoring machine, capable of
getting a handful coming off the bench, was brilliant in qualification, scoring
13 goals and forming a great partnership with Arek Milik.
The Ajax striker did a
fantastic season, bagging 21 in the Eredivisie and making sure that he also be
subject of special attention.
NOR.IRELAND
·
Defense
Playing with three center backs, and two wing backs that will have to run miles back and forth, Michael O’Neill was created something special for Northern Ireland, qualifying top of their group and showing great solidarity in the back. Pressure will be much bigger in France, but they won’t go down without a fight.
Playing with three center backs, and two wing backs that will have to run miles back and forth, Michael O’Neill was created something special for Northern Ireland, qualifying top of their group and showing great solidarity in the back. Pressure will be much bigger in France, but they won’t go down without a fight.
·
Midfield
McNair and Norwood should be the pairing that will sit ahead of the defense, trying to break the opponents attacks and trying to get involved with Dallas and Evans in attack, or even pump the ball ahead to Lafferty. It will be a game where the spirit and unity showed in qualification will have to be on point, or they can risk being beaten by big numbers.
McNair and Norwood should be the pairing that will sit ahead of the defense, trying to break the opponents attacks and trying to get involved with Dallas and Evans in attack, or even pump the ball ahead to Lafferty. It will be a game where the spirit and unity showed in qualification will have to be on point, or they can risk being beaten by big numbers.
·
Attack
It’s all about Kyle Lafferty, and he loves it. He’s a man that loves to be the center of attention and he surely is the player his teammates look up to try and nick something from the game. It’s not likely that he will have many chances, but when he gets the ball, his ability to hold the ball and wait runs will be a way for Nor.Ireland fans to hope for something unexpected.
It’s all about Kyle Lafferty, and he loves it. He’s a man that loves to be the center of attention and he surely is the player his teammates look up to try and nick something from the game. It’s not likely that he will have many chances, but when he gets the ball, his ability to hold the ball and wait runs will be a way for Nor.Ireland fans to hope for something unexpected.
- FIL’S VERDICT
Poland feels they face the easiest game of the group, but previous experience shows them that they have to prove they are the favorites in the pitch. They did a good job in that in qualification, and with Lewandowski and Milik in great form, Nawalka can hope for a good start that leads his team to the knockout stages.
Michael O’Neill has to pass on the message that the team can continue to make history. They cannot be just content with being in France, they need to risk it and go for something more.
It will be hard, but they have strengths in
numbers and size against Polish’s attack, and if they fight and hold on for enough
time until they create a chance, it has to be taken.
Poland has been less prolific in the preparation, and Nor.Ireland only conceded once in 2016, but this is a stage that their players aren’t used to, and it might take them a while to get used to it. And if that happens, it will be too late.
Poland has been less prolific in the preparation, and Nor.Ireland only conceded once in 2016, but this is a stage that their players aren’t used to, and it might take them a while to get used to it. And if that happens, it will be too late.
FIL’S PREDICTION
POLAND 2-0 NOR.IRELAND
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