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Lovin Predicts 2022 World Cup: Mexico And Poland Look To Take Advantage Of Argentinian Disaster

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The FIFA World Cup 2022 will be held in Qatar from 20th November to 18th December. 32 teams will compete across 64 matches, and Lovin Malta will be sharing its analysis, predictions and key battles on the pitch ahead of some of the most important matches. 

Mexico vs Poland: Overview

After Saudi Arabia stunned Argentina earlier today, the other two Group C teams will immediately seek to capitalise.

El Tri seem to have a knack of always getting past through the group stages, only to fall at the Round of 16. In fact they have made the knockout stages for 7 World Cups in a row, I am sure their main aim will be to break that duck and go further through the tournament.

A pacy, athletic, hard-working unit that always prove to be a stern test for any opposition, Poland will represent a good test for them to kick-start their Qatar 2022 journey. World Cup campaigns have not been kind to the Poles in the 21st Century, as they yearn for the glory years of the 70’s and 80’s, which yielded two semi-final appearances. Given their star man, goal machine Lewandowski, is approaching the end of his career, this does seem like last chance saloon for him to have an impactful and memorable World Cup by taking Orły on a run to the knockout phases.

Tactics & Formations:

‘Tata’ Martino and his Mexico charges will more than likely stick to the tried and tested 4-3-3, providing plenty of tenacity, creativity and energetic play. Led by a core of experienced players with previous World Cup experience, they will look for spaces between the Polish defensive lines in order to exploit and strech their backline.

Czesław Michniewicz took over the national team in January of this year and has utilised a number of different systems throughout his tenure. Given his recent friendly was against Chile, a similar team to Mexico in both style and tactics, I suspect Poland will deploy a 3-5-2 formation, creating a solid base to support the 2 star attackers, Lewandowski and Arek Milik.

These two contrasting set-ups should allow us to witness an intense, combative and very close match, with Mexico likely to have more of the ball and Poland looking to hurt their opponents on the counter.

Key Battles on the Pitch:

1) Hector Moreno (34yo Monterrey (MEX) Centre-Back) VS Robert Lewandowski (34yo Barcelona FC (ESP) Striker)

Does Robert Lewandowski really need any introduction? The Polish goal machine was voted the World’s Best Player in 2020, and even at age of 34, shows zero signs of slowing down anytime soon. However he will hope to have a positive World Cup campaign to look back on once he retires, and Qatar 2022 is his last chance at the world’s great stage.

The man tasked with shutting him down will no doubt fall to Hector Moreno, who is is entering his 4th World Cup campaign with Mexico. The nation’s tough tackling hardman will know shutting off Lewandowski would greatly reduce the threat posed by the Poles.

2) Andres Guardado (36yo Real Betis (ESP) Central Midfielder) VS Piotr Zielinski (28yo Napoli (ITA) Central Midfielder)

Currently on a sensational run of form along with the rest of his team-mates at Napoli, Zielinski is hitting a purple patch just at the right time. Gifted with great passing and dribbling ability, with the ability to pop one from distance himself, Zielinski is the shining light in Poland’s midfield.

He will need to be at his best to outshine and outsmart El Tri’s captain, Andres Guardado, who is making his 5th appearance on the world’s biggest stage.

Even at 36, Guardado remains a key part of Mexico’s engine, capable of delivering in all areas of the pitch, as the rest of the squad will look to him to lead and inspire them to another successful group stage campaign. Definitely a battle to keep an eye on in the middle of the park.

3) Hirving Lozano (27yo Napoli (PRT) Left Winger) VS Matty Cash (25yo Aston Villa (ENG) Right-Back)

Just like his team-mate at Napoli (but opponent today) Zielinski, Chucky Lozano is a man on fire. The pacy and lethal winger will be the star man for Mexico up front as they look to cut through the Polish defence. Tasked with keeping track of him will fall to Aston Villa player of year 2022, Matty Cash (who, if you’re wondering, has Polish descent through his mother). The tenacious right-back will have his hands full as he goes head-to-head with Lozano, however should he come out on top Mexico will end up with big problems in the final third.

Prediction:

This is going to be a very close game, which can truly go either way to be honest. Given past tournament history and experience, I am inclined to give this game to Mexico, by the skin of their teeth. 2-1 to El Tri!

Cover photo credits: Left – Mexico national football team, Right: Poland national football team

Darren Abela is a sports correspondent with a keen interest in football analysis, Inter Milan, and anything Ferrari.

What’s your prediction for the Mexico-Poland game?

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