Euro 2024: limited expectations, optimism for the future and passing of the baton, Damien Perquis' look at Poland, opponent of the Blues

Damien Perquis veut croire en l'arrivée d'une génération prometteuse après celle de Robert Lewandowski. maxppp – maxppp

Although he is disappointed with the elimination, Damien Perquis, former Polish international and current consultant for beIN Sports, wants to believe in better days after the match against the Blues.

In 2012, he was on the other side. Damien Perquis, former defender of Saint-Étienne, Sochaux or Bétis Sevilla, played in Euro 2012 under the colors of Poland. "The peak of (his) career", he says, despite an end &quot ;quite brutal" and a decision by the federation to use less binationals.

Now a consultant for beIN Sports, the Franco-Polish carefully observed his other country before meeting the Blues on Tuesday in Dortmund. He delivers a mixed feeling, shared between the disappointment of the elimination but also real signs of improvement and an expected replacement.

"A little doubtful" before the Euro

"I saw the last World Cup and I saw what this team was capable of doing. It was much better during this Euro", believes Damien Perquis, after the two setbacks conceded by the Eagles, beaten to the wire by the Netherlands (2-1) then more widely by Austria (3-1).

"Before the competition, I was a little doubtful, especially after the play-offs(including the last one won against Wales, 0-0, 5-4 tab, Editor's note). At the Euro, it didn't play badly, but they paid cash for small mistakes", notes the man who wore the selection jersey 14 times .

"The injuries to Lewandowski and Milik took a toll"

Eighth finalist of the World Cup in 2022, beaten by the French team (3-1), it nevertheless arrived in Germany escorted by doubts. This was due in particular to the injury of Robert Lewandowski, Poland's top scorer, during preparation.

"You lose in quality but also in the state of mind when he doesn't play. With Milik's package, the attack line was handicapped. Buksa and Piatek were able to show themselves but it took a while."

Not ideal after already two changes of coaches since 2022: Czesław Michniewicz had given way to the Portuguese Fernando Santos, himself replaced after six matches by the ex-coach of the Espoirs, Michal Probierz, last September.

"If it plays at its best, France will win"

"The Poles in general expected nothing more than to appear well, affirms Perquis, retired from the field since 2019. At the last World Cup, Poland played very poorly. But Probierz gave the players, the supporters a boost."

The expected ends of the international careers of Lewandowski and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny nevertheless promise a real challenge ahead. "Good young people are arriving, Probierz knows them. I am optimistic for the future."

In the nearer future, Poland has a final Euro match to play, against the Blues who Perquis sees "gaining strength& quot;. "If we remember the round of 16 in Qatar, the first opportunity was Polish. It can give ideas", he wants to believe. Without deluding ourselves, however. "If it plays at its best, France will win."