led by prolific Bayern Munich striker Robert lewandowski, Poland was the top scoring team in qualifying for the European Championship with a remarkable 33 goals in 10 games.
At Euro 2016, that firepower has completely fizzled out. After scoring 13 goals in qualifying, lewandowski has failed to find the net so far and his team has managed just two goals in its three matches. Only Ukraine, Sweden, Albania and Austria scored fewer goals in the group stage — and all four of those teams have been eliminated.
Instead, it’s Poland’s tight defense that has helped the team into the knockout stage of a European Championship for the first time, keeping three clean sheets in as many games.
lewandowski gets a chance to end his scoring drought in Saturday’s game in Saint-Etienne against Switzerland, a team with similar strengths and weaknesses toPoland.
He will have to rediscover his clinical touch in front of goal. It was lewandowski’s fourth consecutive international match without a goal.
Switzerland will also be making its maiden appearance in the knockout round at a European Championship, with a team boasting the same defensive qualities asPoland.
Fabian Schaer and Johan Djourou make a solid center back pairing, while keeper Yann Sommer turned in a man of the match performance in the 0-0 draw against host nation France. But likePoland, Switzerland has only scored twice at the tournament.