Robert Lewandowski scores for the second time in his seventh World Cup game. With his 78th international goal, he will join an illustrious circle, but he is not happy after losing to France. This also has to do with the national saint of the German neighbor.
In the middle of the Silesian city of Czestochowa, one of the identity-defining buildings of Poland sits enthroned on the Jasna Gora, the Hellen Berg. The Pauline monastery houses the most valuable national treasure – the Black Madonna of Czestochowa. Millions make the pilgrimage to her every year. She is the soul of the nation, dark and beautiful she waits there in the holy monastery. She was attacked with sabers in the 15th century, almost destroyed by looters, and she has had scars on her cheek ever since. According to legend, it was she who led a few hundred Poles to victory against the Swedes in 1655.
At that time, the Poles entrenched themselves in the monastery and put up fierce resistance to the superior strength of the Swedish attackers. Again and again they tried to take over the monastery, but retreat was the best defense. The Poles won. A year later, King John Casimir made the Black Madonna Queen of Poland. She is the patron saint of the nation.
Czestochowa was a huge topic in Poland ahead of the game against France. The first World Cup Round of 16 since 1986 is ill-fated. Even before the tournament, the approximately 38 million national coaches in Poland grumble about the national team’s overly defensive approach. The appearances in Qatar confirm it. In the last group game against Argentina, they scammed progress with a 0:2 and only because Mexico in the parallel game desperately and happily stormed against elimination.
No more “Czestochowa defence”, demands former national goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek. What he means: no longer entrench, no longer choose the ultra-defensive approach and trust in the Black Madonna. No more parking the bus, as the rest of the football world calls it. National coach Czeslaw Michniewicz has been heavily criticized for his negativity. Also because he takes Robert Lewandowski out of the game. Because he lets him degenerate into a midfielder. According to Dudek, the national coach turns “one of the best strikers in the world into one of the most average players”.
Not good conditions for the game against France. The quarterfinals beckon. The world champion had rotated against Tunisia, lost and may have lost his rhythm. You just have to attack them, not just put all your hopes on keeper Wojciech Szczesny, who already secured the 0-2 against Argentina and secured progress. A 0:2 would be the end. There is no way to reach a round of 16 with a loss.
It’s a little better against France, but that has little to do with the former Bayern star. Again and again Lewandowski drops into midfield, moves to the right, organizes Poland’s game from deep and tries to get the ball in the direction of the penalty area. But there is no Lewandowski. There is no one there. France can wait, conquer the balls and pose danger with quick passes via Kylian Mbappé. His opponent, Matty Cash, an Englishman in the service of the Bialo-Czerwoni, the white-red, is overwhelmed.
He’s not alone in that. France is too strong for Poland. Everyone expected that. But this time, unlike against Argentina, the approach is not quite as negative. France’s unfocused game also plays into their cards. The world champion allows himself defensive inaccuracies too often, especially in the first half, but even the greatest chance of a goal in the 38th minute is wasted. Piotr Zielinski and Jakub Kaminski fail to get the ball over the line from close range. A little later, Olivier Giroud meets. Halftime and the end of Polish hope.
In the second half of this game between two European teams in Al Thumana, which is not well attended anyway, there is an atmosphere that leaves everyone cold. The roles are too clearly divided, and both teams have too little support in the stands. Those who have come continue to see Lewandowski’s desperate struggle against oblivion. After all, after Mbappé’s brace, he can still get a penalty past Hugo Lloris on the second attempt. It’s a classic Lewandowski. Run-up, intermediate step, delay, look out for the goalkeeper. Then it’s over.
The Bundesliga legend has now scored 78 goals for his country, passing the great Pele and in the top 10 for his country’s most-scoring players. But what happened to Lewandowski in Qatar these days is unlikely to please him. Off the pitch, it’s also clear that he never played in the top tier of world football. As hard as he tried in recent years, his reputation never shone in the world of stars. A cold, efficient gate machine won’t win hearts.
On the streets of Doha, people are talking about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the icons of our time. It is also the last tournament for them and people are fascinated by them. Lewandowski doesn’t let it escalate. There are no Lewandowski shirts in Qatar. When he leaves, few will remember him. Poland’s captain has never managed to stand out for anything. That is not enough.
After 138 international matches, after 78 goals, it could be over now. After the World Cup he did not want to commit himself. He finally wants to have “joy of playing” again. She, he said on Polish TV, had disappeared from him. You just have to look at the last games. The beginning of a power struggle. National coach Czeslaw Michniewicz won’t get far with his Czestochowa defence. The national icon is not him, the national icon is Robert Lewandowski. Even if it was never enough for world fame.
