Saudi euphoria seeks to defuse Lewandowski

A euphoric Saudi Arabia seeks to deactivate Lewandowski and be in the round of 16

MADRID, 25 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Saudi Arabian team will try to control the state of euphoria in which they have lived since last Monday to seek this Saturday (2:00 p.m.) their pass to the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar, which they will ensure with a victory against a most needy Poland and that you will be warned.

The 'Green Hawks' surely gave one of the two great bells of the first day of the World Cup. His comeback and victory against Argentina 2-1 unleashed tremendous joy both within the team and in the country and now he has had days to absorb it all and prepare for another challenge against a more needy rival after his goalless draw against Mexico and his discreet image.

The Polish team played a gray game against Gerardo Martino's men, but still could have taken the three points if their star, Robert Lewandowski, had not missed a penalty in the second half. The FC Barcelona striker, one of the best scorers in recent times, has not yet done so in a World Cup and he will want to remove that thorn to boost his team's options.

The Saudi defense was able to contain the tremendous attacking quality of the Albiceleste, and with the work of their central defenders and that of the team, they managed to minimize the impact of Leo Messi. The one in Krakow, on the other hand, represents a different challenge to the '10' and will require another afternoon of full concentration, although the rest of the striker's teammates will also have to take a step forward with respect to their premiere.

Poland arrives warned for this duel where the team led by Hervé Renard will no longer have any kind of 'wow factor'. The cushion of the three points should bring more calm to a Saudi Arabia that, if it won, would qualify for the crosses for the second time in its history after the feat on its debut in 1994.

The Poles, on the other hand, will have to take fewer precautions than against Mexico and go out with more zeal in search of a victory that will lead them to the last day of the group stage against Argentina and try to return to the round of 16 36 years after his last appearance.

Facing a duel that is going to be very physical, Renard will have to replace full-back Al Sharani, who is out for the remainder of the tournament after his hard clash with his goalkeeper who broke his jaw, and has serious doubts about Al Faraj, while that Czeslaw Michniewicz could be more offensive and put Milik or Swiderski next to Lewandowski and put up a defense of four.

POLONIA: Szczesny; Cash, Bednarek, Glik, Bereszynski; Szymanski, Zielinski, Krychowiak, Frankowski; Milik and Lewandowski.

SAUDI ARABIA: Alowais; Abdulhamid, Altambakti, Albulayhi, Albrikan; Almalki, Kanno, Aldawsari, Alburayk; Al Abid and Alshehri.

--REFEREE: Wilton Sampaio (BRA).

--ESTADIO: Education City.

--TIME: 2:00 p.m./World Goal-Movistar.