Poland vs Argentina: Possible Game Plan, Formation and Lineups

Argentina will take on Poland in a virtual knockout play off match at Stadium 974 on Wednesday night. La Albiceleste are currently sitting at the second spot in Group C, with three points to their name from 2 games and need to win their final group game against the White-Reds to seal qualification to the knockouts of Qatar World Cup. Poland, on the other hand, have pocketed four points to be sitting at the top spot and a win or a draw will secure them a place in the round of 16. Meanwhile, if the European outfit ends up on the losing side, their faith will depend on the outcome of the other match in the group between Saudi Arabia and Mexico. 

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Read more: Poland vs Argentina: FIFA World Cup Live Stream, Form Guide, Schedule, Fixture and Probable Lineups

Game Plan

Poland are heading into the match on the back of a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Piotr Zielinski opened the scoring on the stroke of halftime  before Robert Lewandowski capitalised on a defensive error to double the lead and seal the win for the Eagles. Meanwhile goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was the stand out performer for the Eagles at the Education City Stadium as the juventus-man denied Salem Al-Dawsari from the penalty spot and produced some fine saves to keep a clean sheet. Poland manager Czeslaw Michniewicz is unlikely to make too many changes to the side that started against the Green Falcons. The 52-year-old tactician could opt for a 4-4-2 formation with Arkadiusz Milik partnering Lewandowski up front. Poland are likely to sit back and defend and try to hit the opposition on the counters. Szczesny, who has an impressive outing against Saudi Arabia will occupy the goal with four defenders, Matty Cash, Kamil Glik, Jakub, Kiwior and Bartosz Bereszynski in front of him. 

Argentina, on the other hand, will be the favourites to secure all three points despite the fact that they have been far from convincing in their first two games. After a goalless first half against Mexico, Lionel Messi broke the deadlock with a stunning long ranger in the 64th-minute. And then, three minutes from time, Enzo Fernandez doubled the lead with an ever better effort. La Albiceleste appeared to be lacking coordination up front, while the back-four looked pretty solid, since the introduction of Lisandro Martinez in place of Christian Romero. But, when it comes to the attacking department, Messi is not getting the kind of support he would have liked and there aren’t enough attacks coming down the left flanks. Messi is capable of cutting inside from the right and delivering pinpoint diagonal balls to the left channel, therefore if left-back Acuna could make those overlapping runs and get on the end of those balls, it will cause a lot of trouble to the Polis defence. Meanwhile, don’t be surprise if Scaloni opts for a 3-4-3 formation with Romero, Lisandro and Otamendi at the back.

Possible formation and Lineups

Poland have not reported any injuries, therefore Michniewicz could name an unchanged playing eleven against La Albiceleste. Lewandowski, who has 77 international goals to his name, is going to be the key man for the White-Reds. As for Argentina, Scaloni is still searching for his best playing eleven. The Argentine tactician could tinker with his formation and lineup. Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria would form the front-three. Midfielder Enzo could is likely to earn a spot in the playing eleven, while Foyth might replace Gonzalo Montiel at the right-back position. 

Poland probable starting lineups (4-4-2): Szczesny, Cash, Glik, Kiwior, Bereszynski, Zielinski, Bielik, Krychowiak, Frankowski, Milik, Lewandowski

Argentina probable starting lineup (4-3-3): E. Martinez, Foyth, Otamendi, L. Martinez,  Acuna, Enzo, Fernandez, De Paul, Mac Allister, Messi, L. Martinez, Di Maria