“At this point, I can’t say if I have 90 percent of the squad in my head. Three days of training will give you answers, but the test is the match. We will have to modify some things for two reasons – one of them is how I approach the rival team. The second is the fact that we have just played a match and we must have freshness. It will not be a radical change, but there will be changes for sure, “added the coach,” said the football coach during the press conference before the Monday match with Albania. Fernando Santos, also defender Jan Bednarek, said that our players want to rehabilitate themselves after Friday’s 3-1 defeat against the Czech Republic.
The Polish football team started the fight for promotion to the European Championships 2024 with a 3-1 defeat in Prague against the Czech Republic. The Portuguese Fernando Santos made his debut on the coaching bench of the White-and-Reds.
The Poles will have a chance for rehabilitation on Monday, when they will play Albania at the National Stadium in Warsaw.
Jan Bednarek during the conference that both the players and the coaching staff suffered a hard defeat against the Czech Republic. The night was difficult. We played this game in our heads again and again. We know what was wrong. I think we have closed the topic of this meeting he explained.
As he added, the meeting with Albania Polish footballers want to give joy to the fans. The most important thing is that we show a reaction. We played badly against the Czechs. Now the match against Albania counts. We want to show that we are a good team that is aggressive and can create chances – said the Polish defender.
We are professionals. Two days break between matches is enough time to regenerate both head and body. Mentally and physically we will be ready for the match against Albania. The most important thing is that we play to the maximum of our abilities Bednarek said.
The defender also emphasized that Albania will not be an easy opponent. We played Albania in the previous qualifiers – we know how difficult those games were. We know that both matches were very difficult, physical, a lot of fighting. We have to prepare for it. We have enough quality – he noted.
Bednarek was also asked about his health problems. A rib, like a rib – is. The doctor and I make sure that I don’t feel pain. Pain has to be accepted. There are more important things – the team is a team for which I will give everything he said.
Fernando Santos, on the other hand, stated that the match against the Czech Republic did not change his vision of the game. The conclusion is obvious – this can’t happen again. In my entire career, I don’t remember losing 2-0 after three minutes. I’ve already talked to the players about it. It’s very important that they reset their heads. Of course, they can’t forget it, but we can’t repeat it he said.
What composition can Poland play against Albania? At this point, I can’t say if I have 90 percent. composition in mind. Three days of training allow you to get answers, but the test is the match. We will have to modify some things for two reasons – one of them is a matter of how I approach the rival team. The second is that we just played a game and we need to be fresh. It won’t be a radical change, but there will be changes added Santos.
We want to show the character and what characterizes Poles – the ability to sacrifice and the ability to do great things. We can say to the Albanian team that we respect them a lot, but we are in charge here he continued.
The Portuguese noted that most Albanian players play for big clubs. But our players also play in great teams. If we stay focused, we have the quality to avoid problems he said.
We have the skills to possess the ball, to carry the game. We have to go on the pitch with the belief that we can play a great game against Albania added Santos.
The Monday meeting at PGE Narodowy starts at 20:45.
