Poland coach Michal Probierz stated the staff had missed its second when all-time high scorer Robert Lewandowski entered the match in opposition to Austria after it was already two-thirds over.
A 3-1 loss to Austria on Friday wound up eliminating Poland from Euro 2024 following France’s draw with the Netherlands later within the day in the identical group.
“We knew that this is able to be a extremely intensive match, and we determined with the medical staff, and Lewandowski himself, that he wouldn’t be ranging from the primary minutes,” he stated after Friday’s recreation in Berlin.
“We hoped that we might break via the Austrian defence within the second half, it is a pity that we did not rating,” he added.
“We missed that second.”
Lewandowski, who missed the 2-1 defeat by the Netherlands of their opening group recreation because of an damage, lit up the group when he got here in on the hour mark to the reduction of followers who had been questioning if he would spend the complete 90 on the sidelines.
Nevertheless, his presence on the sector did not translate right into a successful edge for the staff. Poland had gone into half-time tied with Austria who had taken the lead with a nine-minute purpose, earlier than striker Krzysztof Piatek levelled on the half-hour mark.
It took lower than seven minutes after Lewandowski, who boasts a exceptional 82 objectives in additional than 150 internationals, was on the sector for Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner to internet a second purpose, adopted by a Marko Arnautovic penalty 12 minutes later.
Poland wanted a France defeat in opposition to the Netherlands with a view to have an opportunity of nonetheless making it via to the spherical of 16 however a draw means they develop into the primary staff eradicated from the competitors.
Nevertheless, talking earlier than Poland’s destiny was confirmed, Probierz promised that the staff can play extra aggressively once they face France of their closing group recreation on Tuesday in Dortmund.
“For us it’s nonetheless a journey, and for us, we play excellent soccer,” he stated.
Probierz’s Austrian counterpart Ralf Rangnick, in the meantime, was thrilled along with his facet’s efficiency that stored them firmly within the operating for a spot within the knockout stage.
“The primary 20 minutes have been possibly good on our facet,” the 65-year-old stated, including: “Within the second half we completely managed the match.”
Rangnick specifically praised Baumgartner, who ran straight as much as his coach to hug him after scoring Austria’s second purpose.
“I advised him at half-time that he’s an important participant and that he could make a distinction,” Rangnick stated.
Info from Reuters contributed to this report.
