Kulesza’s surprising assessment of the players. We didn’t expect that
When I recently asked you to summarize the national team’s match, each time I couldn’t help but ask about emotions. On Wednesday, the scale was probably exceeded…
That’s true. The match itself and all the circumstances related to the meeting between Mexico and Saudi Arabia increased the dose of emotions even more. Fortunately for us, the evening ended with a happy ending. For the first time in 36 years, we will play in the knockout stage of the World Cup. Denmark is already coming home, Belgium or Croatia may be out in a moment, and we keep playing.
And of course I am aware that this promotion was not achieved after a great game, and on the pitch we had to suffer and win it as a disciplined team, but that does not detract from the success of qualifying from the group. Before the World Cup, everyone was sure that we would play Mexico for second place. And in the end, that’s what happened. We were better by one goal.
In the 1/8 finals, France will be the clear favourite. What do you see as our chances?
There is no doubt that France is one of the favorites for the final triumph. They are the defending champions, after all. They have a great squad, with Kylian Mbappe at the helm, and for weeks you could read in the press that Didier Deschamps could create two very strong teams from the available players. But that’s what the World Cup is for, to compete with the best. We would probably lose most of the 10 matches against France, but on Sunday it will be one match that will determine our advance to the quarter-finals.
We know the history of the World Cup. Many teams that had gone through the group stage without difficulty were unexpectedly knocked out at the first opponent in the knockout stage. That’s why I’m counting on Czesław Michniewicz’s tactical sense once again. In addition, Robert Lewandowski or Piotr Zieliński in their best form are able to change the fate of matches – I believe that this will also happen on Sunday. And yet on our side we still have Wojciech Szczęsny, who is playing the tournament of his life. With him in the squad, anything is possible.
Before the start of the World Cup, you said in our magazine that we need a winning mentality. Did you see her in the match against Argentina?
Until the penalty kick was awarded, we were a team that tried to defend smartly and make counter-attacks. Unfortunately, we started the second half badly – we conceded a goal right after the break. This always sets up a meeting. Later, the offensive power of our rivals was so great that we mainly defended in our own half.
Was it a winning mentality? It’s hard to answer when you’re up against one of the favorites for the gold medal, which includes Leo Messi. However, I saw a united team, aware of what is at stake – for the best result at the World Cup since 1986. And this happened to us.
Who, apart from Wojciech Szczęsny, deserves special recognition after this meeting?
It’s not easy to choose players after a match like this. The analysis of errors belongs to the coach, who should hold the players accountable for the tasks entrusted to them. I would certainly appreciate additionally Bartosz Bereszyński and Przemysław Frankowski. The former was discussed a lot before the tournament, and during the World Cup he is one of the most reliable points of our team. Frankowski also worked hard in defense.
When you play defensively, players positioned higher do not have it easy, but the work that Robert Lewandowski has done cannot be underestimated. However, of course, the greatest merit goes to Wojciech Szczęsny. I am very happy that Wojtek, who has probably not considered successful tournaments so far, finally has his moment of glory. And it’s completely deserved. He has already saved two penalties at the World Cup, just like Jan Tomaszewski in 1974. May he lead us as long as possible!
I think we’ll have to get a good supply of lemon balm or some other sedative before Sunday…
Definitely. It will not be easy, once again we play the role of a team that can cause a sensation. The goal of getting out of the group has been achieved. Now we are playing to make dreams come true.
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