Euro 2024: Why did Robert Lewandowski not start for Poland in crucial match vs Austria?
Barcelona and Poland star Robert Lewandowski was only named on the bench for his country in their second match of Euro 2024 against Austria on June 21. The veteran striker has yet to appear in the competition in Germany, having missed the opening game against the Netherlands as well.
It was no great shock to see Lewandowski not named in the starting XI when Poland took on the Netherlands in their first Group F match on Sunday. By then, the absence of the influential striker was public knowledge as he had picked up an injury.
Poland captain Robert Lewandowski featured in both of his country's tune-up games ahead of Euro 2024 against Ukraine and Turkiye, which they won. In the days leading up to the tournament, however, the 35-year-old picked up a thigh injury that kept him out of the game against Netherlands.
The Barcelona striker has now recovered from the injury to his biceps femoris and is on the mend, but is yet to reach full fitness. As a result, manager Michal Probierz decided to start him on the bench in the crunch tie against Austria, which will likely decide their fate in the tournament.
Having narrowly lost to the Netherlands in their first game, Poland are aware of the implications of a failure to win against Austria on their hopes of progression. With a match against 2018 world champions France up next, Probierz will be keen to have his most experienced player in the game.
Lewandowski scored 19 times in La Liga for Barcelona last season, adding eight assists in 35 appearances. He is Poland's all-time top scorer with 81 goals and 33 assists in 150 games. The former Bayern Munich man will be key to his country's hopes of doing well in Germany.
Robert Lewandowski makes Euro 2024 debut against Austria
Poland striker Robert Lewandowski has made his first appearance for Poland in Euro 2024 as they faced Austria in their second group game. The Barcelona star started the game on the bench due to his injury.
In the 60th minute, Lewandowski was introduced in place of Krzystof Piatek, who scored his country's only goal in the game against Austria. The Barcelona striker, meanwhile, became the oldest player to ever appear for Poland at a major tournament.
Austria claimed a comfortable 3-1 win, with goals from Gernot Trauner (9'), Christoph Baumgartner (66'), and Marko Arnautovic (78', p). The win puts them in a good position to make the next round at Euro 2024 when they face the Netherlands in their last group game on June 25.