The Polish coach wishes to have Messi in the squad
"If Poland had the ball, if we had Messi, Lewandowski would have scored five goals today," Michniewicz said at a press conference after Poland's 0-2 defeat. The 52-year-old coach admitted Lewandowski received too little support from his teammates when facing Argentina.
Poland only held the ball 27% of the time and did not finish the goal once. Lewandowski did not have a chance to threaten the opponent's goal, only passing 18 times all game. Poland still has tickets to the 1/8 round thanks to more than Mexico's sub-index when the two teams have the same four points.
Coach Michniewicz admitted mixed emotions after the defeat. He said that Poland's progress through the group stage is an impressive achievement, but it has a mark of luck. This strategist also warned that students will face great difficulties when meeting France in the 1/8 round. He said: "This is not the kind of football we want to play. Things could be very bad if Szczesny doesn't save the penalty."
Szczesny fouled Messi when he jumped to punch the ball at the end of the first half. But the Juventus goalkeeper then fell in the right direction to block the Argentine superstar's penalty kick, thereby helping Poland stand up at the break. Things turned around in the second half when Szczesny conceded in the 46th minute, then conceded another goal in the 67th minute.
Poland experienced a tense evening while watching the progress of the match at the same time of Mexico and Saudi Arabia. After conceding the second goal and Mexico leading Saudi Arabia 2-0, Lewandowski and his teammates only kept second place only by receiving two yellow cards less than their opponent. Therefore, even though they are losing, Poland retreats to the defensive home field. When the referee blew the final whistle, Poland still did not know their fate. Only when Saudi Arabia shortened the score to 1-2, the Polish fans in the stands breathed a sigh of relief.
"My heart was pounding when I knew the distance was only a few cards," added coach Michniewicz of Grzegorz Krychowiak's yellow card with 12 minutes remaining. This is the first time Poland has entered the knockout round of the World Cup since 1986.
