Football: Poland to take on Italy in Nations League opener

The game was due to kick off at 8:45 pm at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara in Bologna.

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.

Several players have since pulled out of the squad due to injuries.

Brzęczek took over as Poland manager this summer after the national squad's early World Cup exit disappointed fans.

Poland captain Robert Lewandowski told reporters this week 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.

Poland were in January drawn to play Italy and Portugal in the group stage of the UEFA Nations League, a new competitive football format designed to replace most international friendlies in Europe.

European nations were arranged into four Leagues, A, B, C and D, based on their UEFA ranking at the time.

Poland will play Italy and Portugal at home and away in Group 3 of the top League A between September and November. The winner of the group will advance to the Nations League finals in June next year along with the winners of three other League A groups, while the loser will be relegated to League B.

The Nations League offers an alternative path for teams to qualify for the Euro 2020 championships.

League A

Group 1: Germany, France, Holland

Group 2: Belgium Switzerland, Iceland

Group 3: Portugal, Italy, Poland

Group 4: Spain, England, Croatia

(gs/pk)