2023-09-08 22:19:00
A moment after the Polish U-20 team managed to defeat Portugal 4-0 in Łomża, a slightly older U-21 team led by Michał Probierz played their match at the new Orlen Stadium in Płock. And although the rival was much weaker, because it was Kosovo, the importance of the match was definitely greater, because Poles born in 2002 and younger started the qualifying rounds for the European Championships in this way. Their task is not easy, because apart from Poland and Kosovo, group D also includes Germany, Israel, Bulgaria and Estonia.
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In addition, the Probierz team’s sparring sessions were not optimistic. They included, among others: a 0-1 defeat against Greece in the debut, a shameful draw (1-1) against Latvia in Suwałki, or an absolutely terrible match against Finland in Warsaw in June, when the White and Reds saved a 1-1 draw with a penalty in added time. But when talking to the youth team’s staff, it was clear that this last, unbroadcast friendly match in Montenegro, won 2-1 after two goals by Szymon W³odarczyk, gave the team a lot of hope that things could be good in the upcoming youth Euro qualifiers.
No Kozłowski? It’s Rakoczy! Concert of a Cracovia player
And indeed it was. Even without Kacper Kozłowski, who was called up to the senior team and could have been the leader of Probierz’s team, the White and Reds made a fantastic start. At the new Wisła Płock stadium, where it was only the second match after the opening of the entire facility, over 6,000 fans saw how the team leader created himself.
And it was Michał Rakoczy, because it was the Cracovia player’s concert that allowed the Poles to win very confidently that day. And the flavor of this situation is that it was Michał Probierz in Krakow who gave Rakoczi his first chance in the top league, when he played a few minutes against Pogoń Szczecin in May 2018 as a 16-year-old.
On Friday evening, Michał Rakoczy was excellent – he was involved in all three goals of the White and Reds, scored in the first half. Between the 25th and 45th minutes, the Poles mercilessly outscored their opponent, and Rakoczy started with an assist, perfectly crossing the ball from a corner kick to the head of Ariel Mosór, who opened the scoring with a strong shot from close range.
In the 30th minute, Cracovia’s midfielder, in a quick counterattack, after a pass from Mateusz Łęgowski, scored perfectly from 16 meters so that the rival goalkeeper, Leo Besson, had no choice but to pull the ball out of the net. Just before the break, the 21-year-old added one more goal when, during the confusion in the penalty area, he mercilessly turned one of the Kosovar defenders and made it 3-0 with a flat shot.
Michał Probierz was also satisfied with Rakoczy’s performance. – It’s true that he played a great match. I know him very well, he made his debut in the top league. I know every element of him, and coach Zieliński is developing him very well in Cracovia. I believe that not only he, but also other players from this team will make it to the first team – said the coach of the White and Reds at a press conference, also complimenting the entire team.
– Starting in the qualifying rounds is very important, which is why we talked to the players so that they can take the field confidently. There was some nervousness at the beginning, but we quickly got over it and in the first half we scored three goals and were able to keep the ball. We also eliminated our opponent’s advantages, the players set a very high pace. We have already seen data that confirms this, he explained.
The football players were having fun, the lighting operator was having fun. Football celebration in Płock
The result 3-0 showed that in the second part of the first half the Poles had fun with their rival. During the break, the person managing the stadium lighting in Płock had fun and presented an impressive light show to the rhythm of the song “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC. This could have made an impression especially on younger fans, of whom there was no shortage at Orlen Stadium that day.
After the change of sides, the football situation was not so good, because the Polish players lowered their expectations and allowed their opponent more and more. Kacper Tobiasz had to make several interventions, especially after long-distance shots. Legia’s goalkeeper was very lucky in one of them when he slipped in the mud in front of his own goal after taking a free kick, but he still managed to knock the ball away.
When the Kosovars were gaining the floor, Touchstone stood up from the bench and took an eloquent pose leaving no doubt about his dissatisfaction. Later, he also shouted loud comments to his players. Finally, in the 67th minute, he made three changes at once, although one of them was forced because the injured Patryk Peda was replaced by 19-year-old Miłosz Matysik from Jagiellonia Białystok, who was making his debut in the U-21 team. Later, he was joined by another player born in 2004 – Maximilian Oyedele (Manchester United). They were the two youngest players in the Polish team.
The changes worked because the young Poles regained control of the match and although they played defensively throughout the second half, they calmly won 3-0 by the end and could enjoy a successful start to the qualifying round. Now it just needs to be improved, because in four days the U-21 national team will play away against Estonia (Tuesday, 6:00 p.m.) and will also be the clear favorite here. Even if it has to cope without Patryk Peda, Ariel Mosór and Mateusz Łęgowski, who finished the match against Kosovo with injuries.
“Fans have to be patient, a really good generation is coming.”
After the match, Michał Probierz did not hide the fact that the second half was not what he expected. – In the second half, we didn’t play enough football. It’s especially a pity that we didn’t take advantage of any chance to counterattack. We lacked the willingness to take risks. However, it was good that the team was very well organized and managed to keep zero behind. I congratulate the players, he said. – We want to play offensively. There is a trend in our country now – we want players not to be afraid and to take risks, although sometimes it doesn’t work out – he added.
Despite everything, the coach of the U-21 team was satisfied with the team’s attitude. – I am full of admiration, the players came prepared, no one shied away. This team hasn’t lost yet this year, and that’s also important, said Probierz, who at the end also referred to the huge criticism that falls on the adult team.
– I read hate for the first national team… We must remember that the generation of these players must change. The successful ones slowly fade away. Generational changes are inevitable, and fans must be patient, because a generation of really good players is coming, he assured. – Sometimes we think we are a holy nation, but now everyone can play football. Kosovo is not a random team, it has several individuals, concluded the youth coach.
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