Poland’s star striker and Europe’s most lethal goal-scorer disappointed as team slip to 1-2 opening defeat to Slovakia; says it’s difficult to qualify for knockouts now
Poland’s Robert Lewandowski wears a dejected look as he walks past jubilant Slovakian players celebrating their 2-1 victory in the European Championship match at St Petersburg on Monday. PicS/AFP
Poland star Robert Lewandowski said the team was facing an uphill task to qualify for the Last 16 at Euro after losing 1-2 to Slovakia in their opening game on Monday. The Bayern Munich striker was kept quiet by a Slovakia defence led by Milan Skriniar, the Inter Milan centre-back who scored the winning goal here.
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“It’s a shame we weren’t able to at least get a draw,” Lewandowski told Polish state broadcaster TVP. “We weren’t good enough in defence to create clear situations that could pave the way to goal for us. “These types of errors are not forgiven at the European Championship.”
Poland are making a fourth successive appearance at the tournament, having reached the quarter-finals in 2016 before losing to eventual winners Portugal on penalties. Paulo Sousa’s side travel to Seville next to play Spain in Group E on Saturday before returning to St Petersburg for their game against Sweden on June 23.
Slovakia’s Milan Skriniar celebrates scoring the winner against Poland
“We still have two matches ahead of us. We lost to theoretically the weakest opponents so we find ourselves in a difficult situation,” said Lewandowski, who has scored just twice in 12 games at major finals.
“I hope that during the match against Spain, if we improve what didn’t work today, it will go better but I realise as well that the next opponents will be at a higher level. We need to stay confident against Spain that anything can happen during a tournament like the Euro,” he added.
An own goal from Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny handed Slovakia the lead on 18 minutes, but Karol Linetty equalised for Poland right at the start of the second half.
Poland were reduced to 10 men on the hour when midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak picked up a second yellow card, and Slovakia made their advantage count as Skriniar drove in a well-taken winner at a corner.
“We’re delighted to start the competition with a win. It was a difficult game, Poland are a quality team,” said Skriniar.
Lewandowski found his opportunities limited by Slovakia after a prolific season with Bayern Munich that saw him set a Bundesliga record with 41 goals. “Skriniar put in a great performance. I think the whole team played very well,” said Slovakia coach Stefan Tarkovic. “I’m really happy we managed to neutralise a great player such as Lewandowski.”
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