Robert Lewandowski has been ruled out of Poland's Euro 2024 opener against the Netherlands and faces a race against time to prove his fitness before the end of the group stage.
The Barcelona striker limped off with a thigh injury during Monday's 2-1 win over Turkey, after which manager Michal Probierz insisted there should be no “problem” with Lewandowski's fitness.
Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case as Poland have confirmed that Lewandowski will miss the opening game of Euro 2024.
“Robert Lewandowski has torn his biceps femoris muscle, which will rule him out of the first match,” said team doctor Jacek Jaroszewski in a statement. “We are doing everything so that Robert can play in the second match against Austria.”
Poland have been drawn in an incredibly tricky group alongside the Netherlands, Austria and France, and will likely need Lewandowski at his best to have any hope of making it to Group D.
Even if Lewandowski can return in time for the Austria match, questions will be asked about his fitness and he may not be at full strength for the visit of pre-tournament favorites France in the final group game.
The next one. Euro 2024 sweepstakes. PLAY: Our Euro 2024 sweepstakes (UK only). black
Lewandowski, who is also the captain of his national team, enjoyed a fine end to the La Liga campaign which saw him bag 11 goals and three assists in his last 15 games, sending a strong statement after being criticized earlier in the campaign.
Now 35, the veteran striker has suffered a drought in front of goal and reports even suggested that former boss Xavi was keen to offload Lewandowski this summer – a situation which influenced Barcelona's decision to change manager.
Hansi Flick will replace Xavi at the top next season. The German watched Lewandowski score 83 goals in just 71 games during his spell at Bayern Munich, including his club record 41 goals in the Bundesliga in 2020/21.
READ THE LATEST BARCELONA NEWS, FOLLOW THE HUMORS AND GOSSIP
Source link
