During Saturday’s press conference, Polish international Piotr Zielinski expressed regret over team captain Robert Lewandowski’s injury-enforced absence from their opening Euro 2024 match.
Lewandowski unfortunately injured his left ankle in a recent friendly against Turkey. With Poland set to face powerhouse Netherlands in their Euro 2024 opener, the task has become more daunting without their star striker.
“Lewandowski’s unavailability does pose a significant challenge,” Zielinski acknowledged at the pre-match press conference at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg. “However, our pursuit remains unwavering, and victory is still our sole objective.”
He disclosed that despite the setback, Lewandowski is diligently working on his recovery, aiming to return for the team’s second group match against Austria.
With Lewandowski out, Zielinski is set to captain the side for the first time in a major international tournament. He emphasized the significance of this role change: “For me, leading the team in this moment is a great responsibility and an immensely proud moment.”
He reinforced that despite the absence of their all-time leading scorer, the entire Polish squad is determined to unite and face the tough battles ahead, with group opponents including not only the Netherlands but also Austria and France, each game demanding utmost attention.