Following a fine performance which however ended in a narrow defeat to Finland, Malta takes on Poland in another match from Group G of the European Qualifiers leading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the PGE Narodowy in Warsaw on Monday, kick-off at 20:45.
The game to Finland – the first under the leadership of coach Emilio De Leo – could have ended in a different way for Malta had the boys in red made the most of the chances they created. In fact, Malta would have definitely not stolen anything had the result been at least, a draw.
Commenting on Friday’s game, coach Emilio De Leo said “We are happy with the performance against Finland but what we said to the boys is that if we want to make a change in mentality, we will have to be proud of what we have expressed in terms of personality, identity and initiative but on the other hand, we will also have to be bitter for not having managed to bring home any points and I think this must always be kept in mind … understanding that we have to go a step further, if we have to change the mentality and the attitude.”
When asked what Malta needs to improve over the game against Finland, the Malta coach said “The most important and delicate aspect is to provide continuity. Because then in the difficulties you understand how solid is what we create and build. The finishing is an aspect that must be improved. There are other details, also from a defensive point of view that we must fix because even conceding goals and a defeat gives you opportunities because you understand which are the details that must be improved. Continuity on one side and the other side, finishing and details in the defensive phase.”
When asked whether they will be further changes apart from the suspended Kurt Shaw, De Leo said that he would have to check the condition of the players during the match day -1 training session. “We will only see all those who played the entire match today. In theory, at least, the medical staff told me that they are all fine. So the choice is wide but we are happy about this because they are not only well from a physical point of view but certainly there is a lot of determination, great morale and great enthusiasm. Surely from this point of view, I am spoilt for choice.”
Poland is currently ranked 35th but the team was criticised in recent months and weeks following a disappointing campaign in the EURO 2024 and UEFA Nations League. In fact, in 2024, Poland won four, drew three matches and lost six. After qualifying for the EURO 2024 thanks to a win on penalties over Wales in the play-offs, they lost 1-2 to the Netherlands and 1-3 to Austria but drew 1-1 with France. Then in the UEFA Nations League Group A1, they finished at the bottom of a group which included Portugal, Croatia and Scotland, earning just four points in an away win over Scotland and a draw at home with Croatia. Last Friday, in the opening match from Group G of the European Qualifiers, Poland defeated Lithuania 1-0 thanks to a goal by Robert Lewandowski nine minutes from time.
Referring to Monday’s game, Emilio De Leo said “It is clear that in this game there are difficulties which await us. My task and that of the team is not to avoid obstacles and difficulties but to look them in the face. We need to understand that we can face them. Understand that every difficulty can become an opportunity and tomorrow will certainly be an opportunity.”
“We play against a strong team. A team with great quality and great international experience and with very good ranking. I do not allow myself to judge the qualities of the opponents. I respect them and I believe that first of all, I have to take care of giving the right mentality and attitude to our players Poland may want to improve the last performance but I do not know what their expectations of the coach and the public are. I know that in this group it is not easy to get results and get the best possible results. We respect our opponents and we know that there will be many difficulties for us as there would have been for them in the last match. However, we do not look so much at the emotional state of our opponent but we try to work and build a positive emotional state with regards our team.”
When asked whether they will be further changes apart from the suspended Kurt Shaw, De Leo said that he would have to check the condition of the players during the match day -1 training session.
“We will only see all those who played the entire match today. In theory, at least, the medical staff told me that they are all fine. So the choice is wide but we are happy about this because they are not only well from a physical point of view but certainly there is a lot of determination, great morale and great enthusiasm. Surely from this point of view, I am spoilt for choice.”
Meanwhile when asked about what changed for the national team compared to recent years, Teddy Teuma said “In my opinion, I feel more confident. It is more difficult to defend and wait. The most important thing is for me and the team to give our best and play with passion. We put a lot of intensity and I think this is what we changed from before and this was something nice to see. It is not easy but you take more pleasure playing like this.”
The Polish squad, selected by coach Michal Probierz is made up of:
goalkeepers Marcin Bułka (Nice), Bartłomiej Drągowski (Panathinaikos), Łukasz Skorupski (Bologna);
defenders Jan Bednarek (Southampton), Bartosz Bereszyński (Sampdoria), Matty Cash (Aston Villa), Paweł Dawidowicz (Verona), Jakub Kiwior (Arsenal), Kamil Piątkowski (Kasımpaşa SK), Mateusz Wieteska (PAOK Salonika);
midfielders Mateusz Bogusz (Cruz Azul), Przemysław Frankowski (Galatasaray), Jakub Kamiński (VfL Wolfsburg), Dominik Marczuk (Real Salt Lake), Jakub Moder (Feyenoord), Jakub Piotrowski (Ludogorets Razgrad), Bartosz Slisz (Atlanta United), Sebastian Szymański (Fenerbahçe), Kacper Urbański (AC Monza) and
forwards Adam Buksa (Midtjylland), Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona), Krzysztof Piątek (Başakşehir), Karol Świderski (Panathinaikos).
Robert Lewandowski was recovering from a slight injury but should make it in time for the game.
This will only be the fifth match between Malta and Poland and the second one to be played in Poland. Following the 0-2 win for Poland at the Gzira Stadium in a World Cup qualifier in December 1980 – a game which was marred by incidents which led the referee to abandon it twelve minutes from time, Poland won 6-0 in Wroclaw in November 1981. Since then Malta hosted Poland in two friendly matches, losing 0-1 in February 1999 and 0-4 in December 2003.
Poland vs Malta will be controlled by Danish officials, namely referee Morten Krogh, assisted by D. Wollenberg Rasmussen and Steffen Bramsen, fourth official Jacob Karlsen, Video Assistant Referee Jakob Kehlet and Assistant VAR Sandi Putros.