Italy vs Poland - Match Preview
06 Sep 2018 Tampines -Tanjong Pagar INTERNATIONAL: UEFA Nations League, League A, Gr. 3
INTERNATIONAL: UEFA Nations League, League A, Gr. 3
Italy
- L
- D
- W
- L
- D
vs
Poland
- D
- W
- L
- L
- W
Kick-off
18:45 GMT
07 September 2018
The new UEFA Nations League kicks off this week and while football fans get to grips with the new concept, some of the biggest international sides face each other. Italy and Poland meet in one of Group A’s opening fixtures.
STATS
- Italy were one of the surprise omissions from the World Cup in Russia as they failed to win their play-off which would’ve guaranteed them a place at the tournament. They’ve won just one of their last seven international fixtures, a record which is considerably worse than you’d expect from Italy. That win was against Saudi Arabia, who showed that they weren’t much better following some poor displays in Russia.
- Poland were tipped by many to be one of the dark horses at the World Cup but they crashed out in the group stages. A 2-1 loss to Senegal and a 3-0 defeat against Colombia were enough to send them packing despite beating Japan 1-0 in their final group game. They have won just three of their last nine matches which is surprising after such a good qualifying campaign.
- Italy have quite a few strong attacking options they could select for Friday’s match, Lorenzo Insigne and Ciro Immobile will be expecting to start for the Azzurri.
- Poland have one of the best strikers in world football in their ranks and after putting a disappointing World Cup behind him, Robert Lewandowski will be hoping to find his scoring boots again.
HEAD TO HEAD
Meetings between these two nations have been very few and far between with just two coming in the 21st century. The most recent, in November 2011, ended 2-0 to Italy whilst Poland won 3-1 in the fixture prior to that one. Both teams have scored just once in the eight previous meetings which dates all the way back to a 2-2 World Cup draw in 1980. There have been over 2.5 goals in just two of those eight games, however, both have come within the last three matches between the sides.
ITALY NEWS
It’s very likely to be a strong side that Roberto Mancini will field in his first game in charge and Giorgio Chiellini will be glad to come back into the squad after almost a year out. There will also be some faces in the Italian camp as Cristiano Biraghi and Alessio Cragnio have been called up.
Latest matches: Italy
| 04.06.2018 | Inte |
Italy | Netherlands | 1:1 | D |
| 01.06.2018 | Inte |
France | Italy | 3:1 | L |
| 28.05.2018 | Inte |
Italy | Saudi Arabia | 2:1 | W |
| 27.03.2018 | Inte |
England | Italy | 1:1 | D |
| 23.03.2018 | Inte |
Argentina | Italy | 2:0 | L |
POLAND NEWS
Eight of the Polish squad currently play their domestic football in Serie A so they’ll be familiar with the opposition. Lewandowski retains the captaincy and will lead the line in Bologna. Latest matches: Poland
28.06.2018
WorlJapan
Poland
0:1
W
24.06.2018
WorlPoland
Colombia
0:3
L
19.06.2018
WorlPoland
Senegal
1:2
L
12.06.2018
IntePoland
Lithuania
4:0
W
08.06.2018
IntePoland
Chile
2:2
D
SUMMARY
It’s hard to pick a winner in this clash between two well-established footballing nations but despite missing out on the World Cup, Italy are favourites due to home advantage. The best possible way for them to bounce back from a few disappointing years is to go into the next tournament in good form, which can begin here in the UEFA Nations League. It would be wise to back a home win as well as both teams to score.
07 September 2018 - 18:45 GMT
INTERNATIONAL: UEFA Nations League, League A, Gr. 3About the author - Tampines -Tanjong Pagar
- Tampines: Tampines Football Club, also known as Tampines Rovers, is a professional soccer team based in Singapore. They compete in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) and have a rich history in Singaporean football. Here are some key points to consider about Tampines:
Strengths:
- Experienced Squad: Tampines Rovers have a good mix of experienced players who bring a wealth of knowledge and skill to the team.
- Strong Attack: The team boasts several talented attacking players who are capable of creating scoring opportunities and finding the back of the net.
- Consistent Performers: Tampines Rovers have been consistently competitive in the SPL, often finishing near the top of the league table.
Weaknesses:
- Defensive Vulnerabilities: At times, Tampines Rovers have shown vulnerabilities in their defense, which can lead to conceding goals.
- Inconsistency: While they have had successful campaigns in the past, there have been instances where they struggled to maintain a consistent performance level.
- Tanjong Pagar: Tanjong Pagar United Football Club is another Singaporean soccer team that participates in the Singapore Premier League. After a hiatus, they made a return to the league in recent years. Here's an assessment of Tanjong Pagar:
Strengths:
- Resurgence: After their return to the SPL, Tanjong Pagar has shown resilience and determination to re-establish themselves as a competitive team.
- Young Talent: The team has invested in young players, giving them opportunities to develop and showcase their abilities.
- Fighting Spirit: Tanjong Pagar has displayed a never-give-up attitude, often putting up spirited performances even against stronger opponents.
Weaknesses:
- Limited Squad Depth: Tanjong Pagar may face challenges due to a relatively smaller squad and fewer resources compared to some other teams in the league.
- Defensive Fragility: The team has struggled with defensive solidity at times, leading to conceding goals more frequently.
Overall, Tampines Rovers have a stronger track record and a more established presence in the Singapore Premier League. They possess experienced players and have a history of competitive performances. On the other hand, Tanjong Pagar is a team that has been rebuilding and showing signs of progress. While they may face challenges, they have displayed resilience and a commitment to improvement.
It's important to note that soccer teams' performance can vary over time, so it's always a good idea to keep up with the latest news and updates on their progress.
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