Who's the favorite to win this group ?

It is not full revolution. Actually formation with three defenders was tested few times already. For example second half with Chile. I think Nawalka just wants his team to be more unpredictable.

 

Flapianski is equally good as Szczesny?

 

Fabianski was one of the better GK's of the past Premiership season. And yeah, he is equally good in the NT, just different. He was polish GK during Euro, and besides penalties, he did a great job.

 

Definitely. While Kurzawa and Kownacki are very interesting players (Kurzawa probably the best crosser and dead ball specialist on this team, and Kownacki a versatile attacking player with very bright future), neither is a starter barring injuries or some other calamity.

 

Just to remind -

 

Arsenal fans thought they were cute with these stupid nicknames, but bet most of them wish Fabianski or Szczesny were in goal last season over geriatric Czech. I personally prefer Szczesny, as he has that bit of craziness that every goalkeeper needs and Fabianski is lacking, but can't fault anyone who feels that Fabianski should be the starting keeper. To me its a Coke vs. Pepsi type of a choice.

 

He got quite frustrated about those unsaved penalties during Euro, so he started working intensively on improving this part of his game and has eventually managed to save three penalties during the last season in Premiership.

 

Because Szczesny was injured for most of that tournament. Szczesny is much better than Fabianski. I have watched Fabianski play and he has made quite a bit of embarrassing mistakes in the past.

 

It Is official. Glik goes to the World Cup!

 

He did. But it was old Fabianski. Anyway best polish GK (Boruc) is not playing in NT anymore. Whoever plays i am sure that polish goal will be secured:]

 

Japan 4 Paraguay 2

I think people are writing off Japan a little too quickly.

 

I don't think anyone should be written off before the tournament starts. I know people snicker at Saudi Arabia, but they played well against Germany. Iceland went a long way in the Euro. I'm sure we'll have surprises. If Japan manages a result against Columbia the group will be up for grabs.

 

One of my friends a few months ago stated that he is sure that at least one of: Morocco, Iceland, or Tunisia will advance. I don't see any of them advancing, but he makes a good point, and I believe he could be right that one of them could surprise and find themselves through. I wonder to see if he is right or not. I have a strong he could be right. We'll see.

 

I heard though that he is only expected to play in the third match.

 

If Pazdan or Bednarek pick up an injury he'll start against Senegal. It's a 4-6 week injury and he's basically where you would expect someone to be at in week 3.

 

Don't get me wrong - Lithuanian team is weak, but Poland firepower looks impressive. Kownacki had a great game, Teodorczyk also. I am almost sure that Poland against Senegal will use 442 or 451. I just can't wait to see this game.

 

Poland has done lot of tactical experimentation in the friendlies and it shows in the results but the guiding thoughts in the search for proper tactics seem to be on one hand finding means to neutralize Senegal fast wings and on second hand neutralizing Lewandowski's neutralization.

For this reason the Polish lineup that crystalizes for me is:
Szczesny/Fabianski - a toss up but Szczesny more likely I think

3 central backs - Bednarek Pazdan Cionek - all of doubtful quality - and we Poles can only cling to hoping motivation and tactics will bridge the skill gap here (although most of our players fare better in national team than clubs hence it is easy to sell us short as many do based on names/club affilitation; and honestly hard to blame those who do

as offensively inclined wingbacks we play Piszczek and Rybus (although Bereszyński on the left side would be better), alternatively Kuba on right back and Piszczek goes central D

2 dm bulldogs in the center - Krychowiak and Goralski - again doubtful quality but in any case we don't play through middle much - best we can hope for here is to disrupt, pressure and run a lot.

Lewandowski on the 9 and Zielinski with Grosicki behind him.

This way we can have a lot of coverage on the wings by 3 CB + 2DM and not allow for 1 on 1s with Mane/Keita which we simply would not have playing 4-4-2, as for example Grosicki does not play D when fielded as winger (that + his inability to play full power through 90 minutes is why he never amounted to much in club football).

Zielinski in better team (or more technically oriented, say, Napoli) could play central midfield rather than attacking midfield, but with this team it would be a waste since he does not have much guys around him with whom he could play one-twos and dominate possession, besides - we need his creativity upfront.

For offence the plan will be to create advantage on wings with our wingbacks and cross/charge to middle from the sides.

Another tidbit for offensive play that i would infer from our friendlies is that Robert will retreat to the middle a lot, trying to drag Salif and Kalidou, thus creating space for Grosicki and Zielinski to commandeer and score.

Milik is most likely to sub Grosicki, regardless of the score.

 

Still, I think that against Senegal Poland will use 442 or 451 tactics We will see.

 

Good game by Bereszynski, Krychowiak, Kownacki and Teodorczyk. Right now Milik looks like striker no 4... I actually would be tempted to see Teo instead of Zielinski in 4-4-2. Zielinski is only good for 4-5-1.

Our free kick execution in 16 to 25 m range should result in 2 goals out of 3 kicks, Lewy is just a killer.

I like Fabianski more then Szczesny - I think he has better goalkeeping technique and positioning, as well as communication with defenders. He worked hard on pen kicks and was best pen stopper in PL this season.

As to potential sub for Grosicki - Kownacki looks better right now then Milik, I think.

Goralski is OK, but I am not sure if he is not a card liability - a bit wild and out of control.

My personal starting line up and potential subs (as per need):

Fabianski-Bereszynski,Pazdan,Bednarek,Piszczek-Grosicki(Kownacki), Krychowiak,Linnetty (Goralski), Blaszczykowski (Rybus)-Zielinski (Teodorczyk), Lewandowski

As to Glik - yes, he is only expected to play v Japan right now, but recovery speed is miraculous.

 

Lewandowski seems to be in a great shape. It may be a key to Poland's good performance. Another important factor is that Poland actually for the first time in ages has got really strong subs. Nawalka learns, and he is not the same one dimensional coach as he used to be. New tactics can be applied during different stages of games. I am really hyped and I think Poland will have a great tournament: D.

 

My predictions

Colombia - Japan 1-0
Poland - Senegal 2-1
Japan - Senegal 1-1
Poland - Colombia 1-2
Japan - Poland 1-3
Senegal - Colombia 2-2

Colombia..................5:3................7
Poland......................6:4.................6
Senegal.....................3:4................2
Japan........................2:5................1

Colombia is my dark horse. They have to do well. I think Senegal is too one-dimensional going forward. They play long balls or use their physique and speed and run just down the wings. There isn't much passing play and a lack of creativity. Poland has a world-class forward and will surely find a way to score. I think once the tournament starts Polish defense will look a bit better. Senegal and Japan are just too weak in the final third to outscore Poland.

 

I also think Poland will manage to squeeze it in ahead of Senegal (and Japan).

I expect Poland as team to perform better than sum of skills of individual players would indicate, and I expect Senegal to be the opposite.

At the end of day however it may well boil down to one mistake or one flash of brilliance who advances and who goes home.

@Skandal - I also think Kownacki looks better than Milik but still do not see Kownacki taking over Milik in Nawalka's hierarchy (for whom Milik is one of favourite players).

As for Linetty - most definitely more talented player than Góralski, but I've grown irritated with his performance in national team - I see him as completely useless. Not a fan of Góralski also but at least know he will ride on his ass and bite ankles.

 

Go figure people underestimating Senegal here. Their attributes are the types that a team like Poland will struggle against. Also They will beat Japan as well. I think Colombia is a better team than the entire group but not by much.

 

Senegal is getting picked as a dark horse all over the place. 7 of 9 ESPN experts pick Senegal to advance, only 4 picked Poland.
http://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-wor...perts-picks-for-champion-golden-ball-and-more