Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny believes Robert Lewandowski will break his World Cup duck in Qatar as his nation goals to succeed in the knockout section for the primary time since 1986. Lewandowski is Poland’s file scorer with 76 targets in 134 video games however the Barcelona star failed to search out the online 4 years in the past in Russia because the Poles exited within the group stage. The 34-year-old has struck 25 instances throughout the final two World Cup qualifying campaigns however has but to open his account on the finals.
“I believe it is undoubtedly essential for him (to attain),” Szczesny advised reporters Monday on the eve of Poland’s opening recreation in opposition to Mexico.
“He is very motivated earlier than the World Cup. Nobody doubts that Robert is among the greatest gamers on the earth proper now.”
After eight record-breaking seasons at Bayern Munich, Lewandowski has been simply as prolific in his first season with Barcelona — hitting 18 targets in 19 appearances.
“He would undoubtedly wish to see his ambitions come true, not solely at membership degree however for his nationwide staff. It is a crucial event.
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“I do imagine we’ll add Robert Lewandowski to the good names of Polish soccer with what he does in Qatar.”
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is at his fifth World Cup and will likely be tasked with stopping not solely Lewandowski but in addition Lionel Messi and a fancied Argentina in Group C.
He underlined the significance of a great begin for Mexico, who’ve fallen on the final 16 on the previous seven World Cups.
“No opponent will likely be simple, we’re not enthusiastic about Argentina or Saudi Arabia. We all know it is a quick event and beginning with three factors is crucial,” mentioned the 37-year-old Ochoa.
“We all know what we’re going up in opposition to (in Lewandowski). We have to concentrate on not giving him any probabilities. He has the flexibility to show the sport on its head.
“Will probably be an enormous problem to face a participant like him. We’ll additionally be certain they’ve considerations about our very harmful gamers, and I am positive we’ll harm them once we assault them.”
Poland have didn’t get previous the group section of their previous three World Cup appearances, the final of which noticed Szczesny punished for a mistake within the first match in opposition to Senegal.
The Juventus goalkeeper has suffered a collection of mishaps at previous main tournaments, together with being despatched off within the Euro 2012 opener when Poland had been co-hosts.
Szczesny performed no additional half at Euro 2016 after an damage within the first group recreation. He additionally conceded an personal objective as Poland kicked off their Euro 2020 marketing campaign with a loss to Slovakia.
“I believe every event has its personal historical past,” mentioned the 32-year-old Szczesny, who confirmed this will likely be his final World Cup.
“I am not enthusiastic about tomorrow’s recreation going again to the earlier tournaments. I am very enthusiastic and looking out ahead to the primary recreation.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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