Poland continue to roll through Euro 2016, their impressive campaign still on track as they beat the Swiss in penalties to progress to the quarterfinals. Unbeaten so far, Poland might just be the most dangerous team left in Euro 2016. Why? Their best player still hasn't decided to show up yet.
Robert Lewandowski has played over nine hours for Poland without a goal, having last scored against tournament darlings Iceland in November of 2015. Poland as a whole have struggled to score goals this tournament, and Jakub Blaszczykowski is their leading scorer with a massive haul of two goals. "Kuba" got the go-ahead goal for Poland on Saturday before Xherdan Shaqiri's overhead wonder-strike levelled the match, but it's been Poland's stifling defense and Swansea City goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski stealing the plaudits.
Shaqiri's miracle goal was the first time Fabianski's net has been breached in Euro 2016, and goals have been few and far between on both ends of the pitch for the Poles. That's just fine for manager Adam Nawalka, who, in a pre-match press conference, said he's fine with his star striker's lack of goals as long as he continues to work for the team: "We have no problem with the fact that Lewandowski hasn't scored yet because he is doing a great job for us. He has adapted to a new role very well as we are a team whose players understand each other perfectly and we are very happy to have him in our side."
The Bayern Munich striker has often cut a frustrated figure this tournament, drifting further and further from goal in order to create space for his strike-partner Arkadiusz Milik, who has one goal to his name this tournament, but could (and should) have more. Despite this however, the powerful striker continues to work his socks off for the team, selflessly doing the dirty work on both sides of the ball, and helping inspire Poland to grind out results as they have done all tournament.
Fabian Schaer of Switzerland fouls Robert Lewandowski of Poland
Lewandowski's lack of goals is a welcome sight for Poland opponents, but a player of his quality can't be counted on to miss the target for much longer. If Poland can continue to shut up shop with their miserly defense, AND get Lewy scoring? No one in Europe will relish facing them in a crunch knockout match.
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