Eagles encounter their 'natural predator'

TPO - Football match preview: Poland vs Netherlands, Group D EURO 2024, 8:00 PM on June 16th. Updates on form, head-to-head history, team news, and predicted lineups for both teams. Poland has gone 44 years without a win against the Netherlands, and this could continue.

Match preview: Poland vs Netherlands

Poland had a perfect start to EURO 2024 in terms of results, beating Ukraine 3-1 and Türkiye 2-1, extending their unbeaten run to eight matches (5 wins, 3 draws). However, the reality was quite different, even worse for the "White Eagles," as they lost two key strikers, Arkadiusz Milik and Robert Lewandowski.

Arkadiusz Milik suffered an injury in the 5th minute of the match against Ukraine. Medical tests revealed that the Juventus striker had torn a ligament and will be out of action for an extended period. Meanwhile, Lewandowski sustained a thigh injury in the first half of the match against Turkey and will not recover in time for the opening game.

Coach Michal Probierz will have to consider using Krzysztof Piatek or deploying Karol Swiderski as a "false nine." But certainly neither can fill the void left by Lewandowski. Despite a difficult season at Barcelona, ​​Lewandowski remains an irreplaceable icon for Poland.

Even with a full squad, Poland is considered the underdog against the Netherlands. This is understandable, given their winless streak against them since 1980. In 44 years, the two teams have met 12 times in various competitions, but Poland has only managed 5 draws and suffered 7 defeats.

In terms of strength, Poland is also significantly inferior to their opponent. Coach Michal Probierz's team was a major disappointment in the group stage, finishing behind Albania and the Czech Republic. They only qualified for Germany through the Nations League play-offs. This result accurately reflects the strength that the "White Eagles" currently possess. Besides their famous strikers, they lack star players in every position.

Without Lewandowski, Poland will struggle to spring a surprise against the Netherlands.

Other notable players such as goalkeeper Szczesny, center-back Kiwior, and midfielder Zieliński are not highly rated at the moment. Conversely, the Netherlands have a fairly solid squad with a strong defense, featuring Ake, Van Dijk, De Ligt, and Dumfries… Up front, the Netherlands are missing two important midfielders, De Jong and Koopmeiners, but they still have Xavi Simons and Ryan Gravenberch to rely on.

According to simulations by the Opta supercomputer, the Netherlands have a 55.2% chance of winning against Poland. In reality, this percentage is likely much higher.

Head-to-head history and current form of Poland vs Netherlands

Poland have not won in their last 12 meetings with the Netherlands in all competitions (5 draws, 7 losses), since a 2-0 home victory in the EURO 1980 qualifiers. The most recent clash between the two teams ended with a 2-0 win for the Oranje – then managed by Louis van Gaal – in September 2022 in the Nations League. Both goalscorers, Cody Gakpo and Steven Bergwijn, featured in EURO 2024.

Information on the teams of Poland vs Netherlands

Poland lost their top scorer Robert Lewandowski and backup striker Arkadiusz Milik to injury. Meanwhile, the Netherlands also had to part ways with Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners for the same reason.

Predicted lineups for Poland vs Netherlands

Poland: Szczesny; Bednarek, Dawidowicz, Kiwior; Frankowski, Slisz, Piotrowski, Moder, Zalewski; Zieliński; Buksa

Netherlands: Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Aké; Reijnders, Schouten, Veerman; Simons, Depay, Gakpo

Predicted score: Poland 0-2 Netherlands

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Source: https://tienphong.vn/nhan-dinh-ba-lan-vs-ha-lan-20h00-ngay-166-dai-bang-gap-thien-dich-post1646622.tpo