Romania vs Poland was a tough watch for the supporters of the White and Reds. After an encouraging first-half showing, which saw the two sides locked at 0-0, Jan Urban’s side looked to have been dictating the tempo and keeping a hold on possession well. However, the second-half saw all of that “progress” thrown out the window. 10 minutes of chaos just after the hour mark put the game out of Poland’s reach and handed them yet another away loss.
Subsequently, after the Romania vs Poland match, the White and Reds find themselves in relative danger of falling to League C as a result of their poor form. Plenty of the negativity will be pointed towards head coach Jan Urban, but all of the blame cannot be pointed at him. Admittedly, he is responsible for team selection, substitutions, and tactics, but his players also need to step up when the national team are crying for a moment of magic.
From poor clearances to rushed decisions and a lack of calm, the Romania vs Poland game got away from the White and Reds for a number of reasons. Poland needed to win the game to bring some composure and calmness to the squad, but this defeat has done the opposite, as Urban’s side looks to be in danger.
Romania vs Poland: Poland’s Starting XI
Poland started the Romania vs Poland game with an uncharacteristic 4-4-2. Bartlomiej Dragowski was preferred to Slawomir Abramowicz and Mateusz Kochalski in goal, which was the first mistake. Yes, the Widzew Lodz shot-stopper has more international experience than the other two goalkeepers, but on form alone, he is part of a struggling side that has only won once in 11 matches. A chance for Abramowicz to showcase his ability would have been a better choice, but even then, the Jagiellonia Bialystok goalkeeper would have had little chance of saving the two Romanian goals.
In defence, a back four of Matty Cash, Kacper Potulski, Jakub Kiwior and debutant Oskar Kubiak. Jan Bednarek was out of the side due to suspension, and Przemyslaw Frankowski picked up an injury which ruled him out of the November camp. The two youngsters, Potulski and Kubiak, showed hunger and fight.
Potulski, a physical defender, made the most defensive contributions of any Polish player, but also committed the most fouls and was lucky to escape without a booking. Meanwhile, Kubiak showcased his great forward-thinking ability and his recovery ability with his tackling. Both players did show signs of nerves when put under pressure, but at 19 and 20, respectively, they still have a long way to go in their development, and with age, those moments should appear less.
A flat four-man midfield consisted of Marcel Regula and Nikola Zalewski on the wings, with Sebastian Szymanski and Wiktor Nowak as the duo in the middle. All four had bright sparks during the game, but it felt like the midfield was missing a sense of calm and control. That may have been due to Piotr Zielinski missing due to illness; however, the Inter Milan midfielder won’t be around forever, and this was the perfect game to find someone who can fill in during his absence.
Zalewski was dangerous as always, but that was only on display in the second-half, as the first 45 minutes saw him underused. Once the Atalanta winger got into the game, he was creating, dribbling and using his pace to great effect, ending the Romania vs Poland game with the most chances created (four).
Nowak had an off day, and that was evident in his subpar performance, but he was a great asset from set pieces. However, the Slavia Prague midfielder looked nervy and was one of only two players to be dribbled past on multiple occasions. Szymanski and Regula had the best game out of the quartet, as the former assisted the latter for Poland’s consolation goal, but it was not enough to start the Poland revival.
On to the forwards, and as much as Robert Lewandowski is the captain of the team, it is time to let the younger generation have their chance. Also, Karol Swiderski, who started alongside Poland’s all-time top goalscorer, should also be well away from the squad. The Widzew Lodz forward was listed as a midfielder in the call-ups, but started up top with Lewandowski, as both players had very little impact on the Romania vs Poland game.
Romania vs Poland: The Formation And The Substitutions
With a squad without Bednarek, Zielinski and Frankowski, Jan Urban was forced to line up in a 4-4-2. With that being said, some of the players didn’t play in their preferred positions in the Romania vs Poland game. For example, debutant Kubiak is more of a wing-back rather than a standard full-back; Nowak would have benefited from having a tempo-dictating midfield partner; Szymanski would have been more suited to a centre-attacking midfield role, whilst Regula and Zalewski are suited to be deployed as wingers rather than wide midfielders.
Poland’s usual 4-2-3-1 system would have been more suited to this game and matched up pretty well against Romania’s 4-3-1-2 system. It was a tough game for Kubiak to debut in, and someone like Tymoteusz Puchacz was more suited to start. At the base of the midfield, Nowak would have lined up nicely alongside Lukasz Poreba, which would have allowed Szymanski to be deployed more offensively, with Zalewski and Regula as the two wingers and Lewandowski as the lone striker.
The substitutions made by Jan Urban were done far too late. Romania scored their first goal, which was later ruled out by VAR, and then actually opened the scoring through Alexandru Cicâldau’s deflected goal. Whilst Bartosz Mazurek and Adrian Benedyczak were introduced in the 70th minute, two minutes later, it felt like it was game set and match in the Romania vs Poland game after Dennis Man scored the hosts’ second of the evening after a counterattack.
After those substitutions in the 70th minute, Jan Urban didn’t make any changes until added time. With the White and Reds chasing the score in the Romania vs Poland game, it does not make sense as to why the Poland national team head coach failed to make any early substitutions. Admittedly, Cash came off for Arkadiusz Pyrka due to a concussion, but offensive reinforcements should have been made to bring the Poles back into the match.
Even after Poland scored in the 82nd minute, Urban waited a further nine minutes to add any further attacking reinforcements. It was ever so disappointing because the White and Reds were crying for the kitchen sink to be thrown at saving the game, but it never happened, and the early game dominance in the Romania vs Poland game was wasted.
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Romania vs Poland: A Fresh Start Is Needed
After the dizzying heights of a European Championships quarter-final in 2016, the fall-off for the Poland national team has been something of a sad sight. The Romania vs Poland game was another one of those low moments. Dominance and momentum in the first-half, chaos, nerves and a lack of calmness in the second-half.
Poland have subsequently lost all of their away games in 2026, and are in danger of falling to League C if Romania secure a positive result against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final UEFA Nations League game. However, with that being said, what is needed is a fresh start for the Poland national team: a new lease of life, new young and upcoming players and fresh ideas.
Jan Urban is likely to be a man in danger after such a poor run of results, and if he were to be sacked, Poland would be onto their seventh manager in the span of eight years. Jerzy Brzeczek, who was the Poland national team head coach from 2018 to 2021, is a name in the running after a stellar display with Poland’s under-21s. However, would the White and Reds turn back to him or bring in someone else with greater experience?
Extra Time Notes
The Romania vs Poland game has taught head coach Jan Urban a few things. Firstly, he is a man in great danger after losing every one of the national team’s away game this calendar year. Secondly, using players who do not deserve to be in the national team has been a massive talking point. Dragowski and Swiderski, who are playing for a struggling Widzew Lodz side, are getting game time over the likes of Abramowicz in a stronger Jagiellonia side and Benedyczak, who is flying in the Turkish Super Lig.
One game remains in 2026 for Poland before European Qualifying begins for UEFA Euro 2028. After the loss in the Romania vs Poland game, the White and Reds will now be drawn in Pot Three, creating a tough task for themselves as European powerhouses will likely cause trouble in UEFA Euro 2028 Qualifying.
The White and Reds will look to end the calendar year on a positive note on home soil as they face Sweden, who have topped the group and will be promoted to League A. One thing that is a must: Jan Urban’s side cannot dwell too much on the Romania vs Poland game. The game is now in the past, and to avoid relegation to League C, Poland will hope that Bosnia and Herzegovina can beat Romania and that the White and Reds can put on a show for the home fans in Wroclaw.
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