Poland 0-0 Austria LIVE SCORE – Euro 2024: Lewandowski BLOW as star striker only makes bench – stream FREE, TV, teams

Poland 0-0 Austria

3. Austria are putting the high press on Poland.

As a result, they are hounding the Polish defence as they try to clear their lines.

Ralph Rangnick will be pleased with the start his side are making.

Poland 0-0 Austria

1. Austria start on the front foot, looking to put the Poles under pressure.

Looking to utiilise the long throw, Poland are struggling to get out of their own half.

Trying a long range shot, Szczesny saves with ease.

Atmosphere building in Munich

As we edge closer to kick-off, there is an electric atmosphere in Olympiastadion.

It is a sea of colour in the stadium, with this being a must-win game for both sides.

A draw is not of use to either side this afternoon.

Unwanted records at stake

Poland could lose their opening two matches in the Euros for the first time in the nation’s history.

The Poles finished bottom of the group in three of their previous four Euros appearances (including as co-hosts in 2012).

The only exception was at Euro 2016, when they were beaten on penalties by eventual winners Portugal in the quarter-finals in Marseille.

No love lost between nations

From a historical perspective, these two nations have a hostile past, but their only two meetings for 16 years occurred in 2019, Poland winning an away Euro 2020 qualifier by a single goal before the reverse fixture ended goalless.

Meanwhile, Austria will be looking to extend a 46-year streak having not lost three successive matches at major tournaments since the 1978 World Cup.

As a result, this is a big match for both sides today.

Poles still without talisman

Michal Probierz has spoken about not having his star striker available:

There is a big difference if you have the best player in the world on the bench or you have him on the pitch. The medical team worked on the players until two in the morning. Practically all players will appear in training and a decision will be taken after that.

Michal ProbierzPoland manager

Austria starting XI:

Ralf Rangnick opts to bring Marco Arnautovic back into the starting line-up for this big game.

13. Pentz, 16. Mwene, 15. Lienhart, 3. Trauner, 5. Posch, 10. Grillitsch, 6. Seiwald, 9. Sabitzer, 19. Baumgartner, 20. Laimer, 7. Arnautovic

Poland starting XI:

The big news for the Polish team is that Michal Probierz has resisted putting Robert Lewandowski back into the starting line-up.

1. Szczesny, 14. Kiwior, 3. Dawidowicz, 5. Bednarek, 21. Zalewski, 6. Piotrowski, 24. Slisz, 10. Zielinski, 19. Frankowski, 23. Piatek, 16. Buksa

Rangnick looking for plan for striker

Having plotted keeping Kylian Mbappe quiet in the opening fixture, this time he will need a plan for Robert Lewandowski.

The prolific forward, despite his advancing years will be a potential thorn in the side of the Austrians.

It will be key to their chances of victory today, to ensure that Lewandowski has a quiet game.

Probierz relying on Barca man

Robert Lewandowski is fit for today’s game and despite his maturing age is pivotal to Poland’s hopes.

They created a lot of chances against the Netherlands and could have done with the prolific front-man.

It would leave the Poles with a massive crunch match against France in their final group game, who could be without Kylian Mbappe.

Defeat ends unbeaten run for Probierz

As a result of their defeat, Poland have seen their eight-match undefeated streak come to an end, leaving Probierz with much to ponder ahead of the trip to the German capital.

Poland will be looking to avoid losing their opening two matches at a European Championship for the first time in their history.

Coincidentally, each of their previous four games which have been played on the second matchday of a group have always ended in draws.

Polish devastated after late defeat

Poland took the lead against the Netherlands through a terrific Adam Buska header.

However, Michael Probierz’s team had fortune on their side before they were pegged back and Wout Weghorst then scored a later winner for the Dutch.

Probierz will be happy with lots of aspects of the performance, including the fact that they had seven shots on target against high-calibre opposition.

Qualification big ask for both sides

With two such strong teams in their group, this is really the only game in the group that both Poland and Austria will feel in winnable.

As a result, acquiring enough points to even make it through as a third-placed team seems a long stretch for the pair.

Whichever team, if any, come out victorious today will need a shock result in their final game to stand any chance of making the knockout phase.

Welcome to Poland vs Austria

Poland and Austria go head-to-head in Olympiastadion with defeat for either side likely to guarantee their exit from the tournament.

While Netherlands and France are heavy favourites to progress from the group, both of these teams still have the chance to try and progress as one of the best third-placed teams.

The Polish manager has indicated that Lewandowski should be fit and available for selection, with the Barcelona man being key for the Poles.

Karol Swiderski is likely to replace Kacper Urbanski in the forward line after shaking off an injury that prevented him from starting against the Dutch.

Jakub Moder and Bartosz Slisz are both options to come into the midfield but it is unlikely that Probierz will be wanting to make too many alterations.

Rangnick may take the same approach for the Austrians although Marko Arnautovic is an obvious option to come into the final third.

A place could be found for Patrick Wimmer on the flank, allowing Marcel Sabitzer to be used in-field, but the backline should stay the same barring any fitness issues.