GALLES – POLAND | Sunday 8.45pm
The final day should not hold any major surprises in League A Group 4: the Netherlands are almost certain to finish top of the table and thus qualify for the Final Four, to the extent that they can even ‘allow’ themselves a two-goal defeat in their clash with their Belgian cousins, while Wales and Poland are out of the running for promotion, with the British side a foot and a half behind in League B with ninety minutes to go in the group stage. Robert Page’s selection has never won, collecting four defeats and one draw. Poland, on the strength of their 2-1 success in the first leg against the Welsh side, have a three-point advantage and could do with a draw in Cardiff. Wales have their backs to the wall and must win to avoid relegation.
A Nations League which, incidentally, came at a particular time for Bale and his team-mates, who last June were involved in the tricky play-off play-off for the World Cup, which they reached with a 1-0 win over Ukraine. They probably gave absolute priority to the playoff, which evidently drained them of all physical and mental energy. The Polish side’s progress was also disappointing: after the initial success against Wales, Czeslaw Michniewicz’s men – despite a very strong Lewandowski – dropped in performance, exposing themselves to bad performances, especially from a defensive point of view. Apart from the heavy 6-1 loss in Belgium, they have always conceded at least one goal.
Szymanski
The Prediction
The match is difficult to read, between two national teams that are not going through a good period. Poland will adopt a more cautious attitude: with a draw, they would be safe. But if in front there is a certain Lewandowski – dry against both Belgium and Holland – behind the defence is creaking. A balanced challenge looms, with both teams on target.
Wales-Poland matchday squad
- GALLES (3-4-2-1): Hennessey; Cabango, Rodon, Norrington-Davies; Roberts, Morrell, Smith, Williams; Johnson, James; Moore.
- POLAND (3-4-2-1): Szczesny; Bednarek, Glik, Kiwior; Frankowski, Krychowiak, Linetty, Zalewski; Zielinski, Szymanski; Lewandowski.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2
