Euro 2016: One-dimensional Poland get out of jail one more time against Switzerland

After four games, which have been heavy on tactical battles, watching Poland at this edition of the European Championship has been a homogeneous experience — mean, disciplined defending to go with some prodigal finishing. For 352 minutes, nobody — not even Germany — could breach their defence, and only a worldy from Xherdan Shaqiri denied a fourth straight clean sheet for Adam Nawalka’s side. At the other end, the strike force has been too happy to score one goal and sit back. In their first knockout fixture against a desperate four-man front line, this hard coded stubbornness started falling apart. Ample chances have been created from both flanks by tireless full-backs and wingers, across all four of their games, and yet, just over 20% of all shots have been on target, despite having Robert Lewandowski and Arkadiusz Milik up top throughout. Twice now, including in the match against Switzerland, Jakub Blaszczykowski, arguably Poland’s player of the tournament thus far, has rescued them with stunning goals, apart from his endless supply of crucial passes and telegraphed crosses to the strike duo. Following his goal in the 38th minute, Poland shut shop for the best part of the second half, leaving Switzerland to take advantage of a tiring back line faced with a relentless barrage of attacks across the width of the pitch. [caption id=“attachment_2856320” align=“alignleft” width=“381”] Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri in action with Poland’s Kamil Glik. Reuters[/caption] Right from kick-off in the second half, Switzerland were a different side, with searching balls that caused varying degrees of distress to the Polish defence in the six-yard box. In addition, multiple attacking reinforcements were brought in, fresh legs that flooded the penalty box and stung Lukasz Fabianski with sharp attempts on target. Twice, there were goal line clearances, in addition to a thundering Haris Seferovic strike that hit the crossbar. Poland just about survived due to sheer grit from the likes of Michal Pazdan and Grzegorz Krychowiak, both of whom were fast running out of steam. While Vladimir Petković rung in the changes, Nawalka’s substitution strategy bordered on the queer and the questionable. With the core defensive structure having to put up with a greater workload than usual, and Fabianski having to make multiple world-class saves from close range, there was little defensive strengthening, except for a late Tomasz Jodlowiec substitution in the 101st minute. Throughout, it seemed like a gamble to retain all his strongest spot kick takers, and for 30 minutes of extra time, Switzerland were the only side who even made attempts — a few close ones at that — to score and seize the tie. It feels unreal, and a wee bit unfair, that Poland have managed to get out of jail, once again thanks to a near flawless display of goalkeeping, along with some nerveless, last-ditch defending from the trio of Kamil Glik, Pazdan and Krychowiak. In addition, Glik and Krychowiak, slotted home two crucial penalties in the shootout, ensuring they converted five out of five, against Switzerland’s four. After 120 minutes of two different Polish sides on either side of the pitch, Nawalka’s gamble just about paid off. Poland will face the winner of the Portugal vs. Croatia tie later on Saturday, and irrespective of who they face, defensive discipline alone won’t cut it for them at Marseille, come Thursday night.