Football, San Marino, gala evening at Lewandowski’s home
It will be a dream atmosphere, the one that awaits the Titans tonight at the Narodowy Stadion in Warsaw. On the evening of Fabianski’s farewell to football, which attracted thousands of spectators for the match between Poland and San Marino, the home football federation announces that it is all likely sold out: if confirmed, 58,000 people will follow the match live (directed by 20.40 on San Marino Rtv Sport, chapter 93 Dtt).
According to the coach Varrella … “playing in front of such a large audience can only put us in a position to enhance our adrenaline, so that anything we do on the pitch can be developed to the maximum of our potential”.
The curiosity of the Polish press and TV could not fail to focus on Robert Lewandowski. How does a striker of his caliber stop? «It is certainly not an easy undertaking – admits full-back Manuel Battistini – for a team like ours that is even more difficult. Of course we will have to approach this match bearing in mind other excellent performances, such as the one with Belgium, which is not inferior to anyone. Champions like Lewandowski have to face each other being united and compact as much as possible ».
Varrella’s vision is similar: «Lewandowski does not stop him San Marino, Italy champion of Europe, Belgium. Lewandowski does not stop. To counteract a player of this depth, we will have to develop the ability to anticipate his intentions, running the risk of unnecessary runs. The first goal he scored in San Marino was extraordinary in this sense: when the ball was about to be hit by the midfielder, he read that his position would be useful to get behind the opponent positions. If we had been able to anticipate that reading, the goal hadn’t. In summary: we will have to exalt ourselves ».
Did Nanni’s goal in the first leg “fill the belly” of blue and white? «When you train a national team like that of San Marino – continues Varrella – the first thought is not to worry about the opponents. Ranking in hand, I believe that Poland is worth much more than the performance algorithm says. Many years have passed since San Marino did not score for a team with a similar ranking to Poland today. Is that why everyone should be happy? I am not, I have lost. Objectively, for me the team must take the field to always express the best of themselves ».