After sacking Fernando Santos, Portugal’s Euro 2016-winning coach, last September following three defeats in six matches during eight months in charge, Poland decided to promote their under-21s coach, Michal Probierz, to the top job.
Under Probierz, the senior side have maintained a back-three shape which moves to a 5-3-2 when they are defending in the middle third or deeper.
Aerially, it’s hard to get the better of towering centre-backs, Jan Bednarek and Jakub Kiwior, who have featured regularly alongside a third defender in the heart of the defence.
Crosses from Nicola Zalewski, pictured, and Przemysław Frankowski are Poland’s main threat in the final third, with left wing-back Zalewski able to cross with both feet.
This ambidexterity is a useful tool, because he can dribble with his right foot and cross with the left before the opposing defender reacts.
