Austria 0-1 Poland
When your new manager and star player have a public spat not long after joining forces, the writing is often on the wall.
Yet that is exactly what happened before Poland began their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
Jerzy Brzeczek had no sooner been appointed following the Poles’ disappointing World Cup last summer, then he was failing to see eye-to-eye with Robert Lewandowski.
The mood improved a little when Poland became the first team to be relegated from League A in the Nations League despite managing creditable draws in Italy and Portugal.
However, events tonight have shown this could be the start of improved relations and, who knows, perhaps a successful campaign to reach next year’s tournament. One which will show SBOBET fans that Poland can still put their wits against many of the leading nations.
Highlights of the game
If the Euro 2020 highlights from Vienna are a guide, there is some hope.
A visit to the Ernst Happel Stadion is not always the easiest place to go.
Despite Austria’s recent past – they failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and failed to score a single goal in two Nations League games against group winners Bosnia Herzegovina – their recent home record is strong.
Indeed, Brazil were the only team to have beaten them in the last 13 home matches until now.
They may be without some of their better players in Hannes Wolf, Guido Burgstaller and Michael Gregoritsch, but they still have the ability to trouble opponents.
Poland’s threat was known, of course, with Napoli forward Arkadiusz Milik getting the nod to partner Lewandowski, even if he did only last until half-time.
In a first half of few chances, Marcel Sabitzer forced Wojciech Szczesny into the first save of the night before team-mate, David Alaba, had an effort blocked as the hosts started strongly.
Next, it was Austria’s own talisman, Marko Arnautovic’s turn to threaten before Poland got their shooting boots on with Piotr Zielinski going close and Kamil Glik’s header and shot forcing saves from home custodian Heinz Lindner.
It was a similar story after the break with the hosts edging the possession ad attempts on goal as Sabitzer and Arnautovic went close and Zielinski forced to leave the fray on the hour with an injury.
The sight of both Milik and Zielinski departing will be of concern for their club boss Carlo Ancelotti with big matches coming up for Napoli following the international break and his squad already restricted through injury.
Valentino Lazaro and an Arnautovic free-kick were the next to go close as Austria were on top but there was a feeling that if a chance fell to Lewandowski or Milan striker Krzysztof Piatek at the other end, they would likely snap it up.
And so it proved.
Moments after Tomasz Kedziora saw a shot pushed away for a corner, Piatek – on for Zielinski – headed home from close range to give the visitors the advantage.
The goal seemed to rock Austria who continued to enjoy the territorial advantage but struggled to get efforts on target – Piatek closer to a second goal than Austria were to finding a leveller.
Grzegorz Krychowiak called Lindner into action just after veteran striker Marc Janko arrived as a last throw of the dice for an equaliser.
His presence certainly gave Austria added impetus.
He was narrowly off-target with a right-footed shot as he was minutes later with a close range header.
Yet for all of their efforts, Austria were unable to add to their earlier attempt on target and Poland hung on to record a perfect start.
Key statistics
Austria have only won two of eight meetings with Poland.
This was the first game between the sides for more than a decade.
The last they met was in Euro 2008 when their group match finished 1-1.
It was in Vienna where Ivica Vastic’s last gasp penalty earned the co-hosts of the tournament a draw after Roger Guerreiro had put Poland in front.
It was the sole point for both as they bowed out of the group stage.
Before that, the sides had met in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup when Poland recorded 3-1 and 3-2 victories.
Top of Form
Top of Form
What’s next?
It’s straight into another qualifier now as Austria travel to Israel on Sunday afternoon.
There’s then two more matches in June in the space of four days when Slovenia are entertained before a trip to Macedonia .
Poland welcome Latvia to Warsaw this weekend and then visit Macedonia themselves before hosting Israel ahead of the summer break.
The Euro 2020 betting odds surely have some twists ahead.
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