Poland Progression Built on Solid Defensive Foundations
Ultimately, it took a moment of magic to break down a staunch Poland defence. Xherdan Shaqiri’s goal of the tournament contender - a bicycle kick from the edge of the 18-yard box - saw Poland ship their first goal of Euro 2016. That it took 351 minutes to find a way past the White and Reds is a testament to their resilience and concentration levels. All the more impressively, was that Poland progressed at Switzerland’s expense, despite having two fewer days rest in the build up to the first match of the last-16 stage.
Much was made of Poland’s ruthless attack in the build up to Euro 2016. They scored more goals (33) than any other team in qualifying. Meanwhile head coach Adam Nawalka is able to call on Robert Lewandowski and Arkadiusz Milik in attack, two strikers who scored 51 league goals between them last season. Yet while the attack has faltered - the pair have scored just one goal from 23 shots between them this summer - the defence has remained steadfast.
The centre-back partnership of Michal Pazdan and Kamil Glik has been essential to Poland’s successful progression to the quarter-final stage of Euro 2016. The pair have played every minute of the tournament so far, with the latter netting a vital spot kick in Saturday’s penalty shoot out win over Switzerland. Operating in front of, at first, Wojciech Szczesny and then Lukasz Fabianski in France, Pazdan and Glik have formed an effective central defensive unit, so much so that only Germany (0) have conceded fewer goals than Poland (1) at Euro 2016 so far.
The pair’s proactive approach has worked wonders to help alleviate pressure on the Poland goal. Only England's Chris Smalling (10.3) is averaging more clearances per game than Glik (10), while Pazdan places joint-15th (6.3) in the rankings. Given Poland rank fairly low for possession (45.8%) the need for defenders to be in the right place at the right time is essential and in Glik and Pazdan, Poland evidently boast the required centre-back pairing needed to help deal with any threat.
The duo, it can be said, are the perfect foil for one another to limit the opposition offensive. Glik is a player who favours the headed battle, serving as the defender who will challenge the aerial threats to this Poland side. No player is winning more aerial duels per game of all Poland players than Glik (2.8). Conversely, as the Torino defender breaks forward to counter a direct threat, Pazdan is the centre-back required to break things up on the deck.
Indeed, he is averaging 3.3 interceptions per game at Euro 2016, one of the better returns at the competition. ‘Kung Fu Pazdan’ - as Northern Ireland fans will testify to - has perhaps been one of the surprise packages of the competition. The 28-year-old is hardly a household name outside of Poland, where he plies his trade for Legia Warsaw, yet has been a dominant figure at the heart of the Polish defence. His reading of the game is comfortably his strongest asset when it comes to defending and enables Poland to instigate swift counter attacks as they build from the back.
Given their average possession, the need to soak up pressure before hitting teams on the break is essential and in Pazdan and Glik, they have two central defenders capable of carrying out the necessary defensive duties that have helped Poland to the quarter final stage of the competition. Of course, their burden is shouldered by the excellent Grzegorz Krychowiak in midfield, and the Sevilla man is Poland’s third highest player (7.43).
Only Jakub Blaszczykowski (4) is averaging more tackles per game than Krychowiak (3.3) of all Poland players at Euro 2016, with the 26-year-old performing admirably alongside Krzysztof Maczynski in the middle of the park. Their defensive discipline allows for Blaszczykowski and one of Kamil Grosicki or Bartosz Kaputska the license to provide an effective attacking outlet from wide. They can then attack the opponents safe in the knowledge they have a solid defensive base to fall on should they lose the ball up field.
With Fabianski also providing an effective last line of defence - only Hannes Thor Halldorsson (5) is averaging more saves per game than Fabianski (4.7) - Poland’s efficient progression to the next round of Euro 2016 is built on defensive solidity. Of course, they have moments where they look as though they will concede, but the resilience and effort shown by their defensive performers means that, while tested, they have only had to pick the ball out of the net once this tournament.
Poland’s progression to the quarter final stage of the tournament means this is already their most successful European Championship and much of that is down to staunch defending. The attackers tipped to shine this summer may be drawing blanks, but the core of the side has worked tirelessly to help the team thus far. Next up is the meeting with Portugal on Thursday and the likes of Glik, Pazdan and Krychowiak need to work hard once more to deny Cristiano Ronaldo and co. in order to secure a place in the semi final of Euro 2016. Given the displays of their vital defensive performers so far, however, one wouldn’t bet against Poland making it to the next round of the tournament.
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