Football: Poland in training ahead of Nations League opener
PR dla Zagranicy
Grzegorz Siwicki
04.09.2018 10:00
Poland’s national football team has started a training camp ahead of its Nations League opener against Italy.
Manager Jerzy Brzęczek reacts as Poland on Monday train in Warsaw ahead of their first Nations League match. Photo: PAP/Bartłomiej Zborowski
Poland manager Jerzy Brzęczek last week released a list of 27 players called up for the upcoming match against Italy and a friendly with Ireland.
Poland captain Robert Lewandowski told reporters in Warsaw on Monday that the Polish players were highly motivated and determined to fight for victory in Friday’s game against Italy, which he said was a strong opponent and a challenge for his team after the Polish squad's disappointing performance at the World Cup in Russia.
"We will want to show above all that after an unsuccessful World Cup we are still a team, and that we will still want to fight for victories" Lewandowski said.
Meanwhile, Brzęczek told the news conference he was “full of faith” in his players ahead of the Italy and Ireland matches.
Poland will on Friday take on Italy in Bologna in their opening match in the group stage of the UEFA Nations League, a new competitive football format in Europe.
Poland will play a friendly against Ireland in the south-western Polish city of Wrocław next Tuesday.
Brzęczek took over as Poland manager this summer after the national squad's early World Cup exit disappointed fans.
Mistaken line-up decisions and problems with mental preparation were among the possible reasons behind Poland failing to make their mark during this year’s football World Cup in Russia, according to a report.
(gs/pk)
Source: IAR/PAP