Poland vs Senegal: Nawalka waits on Glik

Midfielder Badou Ndiaye says Senegal is ready for Poland in a match he describes as a "high-quality clash".

Published : Jun 19, 2018 10:12 IST

Poland will give centre-half Kamil Glik every opportunity to prove his fitness ahead of its World Cup opener against Senegal in Moscow on Tuesday.

The Monaco defender was initially thought to be out of the tournament after injuring his shoulder attempting a bicycle kick in training just hours after being named in Adam Nawalka's 23-man squad.

But he has made a remarkable recovery and, although it remains unlikely he will play against the African side, Nawalka's assistant Bogdan Zajac says every scenario remains possible.

READ: Lewandowski sets an example - Nawalka talks up Poland star

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Zajac said: "Every day he puts in several hours of work, not only on the field.

"He starts first thing in the morning and also trains in his spare time. He is strengthening the shoulder and is working hard to make up for lost time. 

"With every day he gets closer to a return and his recovery is going in the right direction

"He is ready to go to Moscow for the match with Senegal but everything is open."

ALSO READ: I can be at the top until I'm 35, says Lewandowski

With Colombia and Japan also making up Group H, Poland will be expected to qualify but Zajac denied that placed any extra pressure on the players.

"For footballers, pressure is a fact of everyday life, they can control it," he added.

"It is true, however, that the World Cup has an extra element. But we must have pressure otherwise the adrenaline will not appear."

WATCH: Lewandowski's insights on the World Cup

Senegal midfielder Badou Ndiaye will be a key man for Aliou Cisse's side and he says the team just needs some fine tuning to be ready for their tournament bow.

He told FIFA.com: "As the days go by, the team improves and we will get stronger. We just have a few adjustments to make before the start of the competition."

Of the Poland clash, he added: "It will be a World Cup match with intensity and commitment, on paper it is a high-quality clash and we are here to play in this type of match."

Cisse certainly does not lack for experience in these kind of encounters, having captained the Senegal side that made history at the 2002 World Cup, reaching the quarter-finals in their debut appearance.

He has also impressed as coach since taking charge in 2015 with his team unbeaten in the African qualifiers.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Poland - Robert Lewandowski

One of the best traditional 'number nines' in world football, Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski was the leading goalscorer in the European qualifiers with 16.
 

Senegal - Sadio Mane

A key man in Liverpool's surprise run to the Champions League final, Mane has blistering pace and will be looking to torment the Poland defence, especially if Glik is missing.
 

WATCH: Mane on the Poland clash

 

Video Courtesy: FIFA TV

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