Nations League: Injury-hit Poland have point to prove against Scots

Despite the furore that has engulfed Probiersz, Poland come into this match as favourites as Scotland chase an unlikely place in the Nations League quarter-finals and a place in pot one for the World Cup qualifying draw.

Their first-half performance in Porto was actually very good and they limited the Portuguese as Scotland had the month before. The roof caved in after the break and it appeared any energy the Polish players had was left in the changing room during the interval.

“I told the players that you have to take it on the chest, not hang your heads, not hide,” Probiersz added.

“I have been a coach for over 20 years, but such a combination of circumstances happens very rarely. In the first half we controlled the match, we had our chances.”

Former Poland captain Jacek Bak has warned the injury-ravaged team to prepare for a very hard game in Warsaw against the Scots and doesn’t feel Friday’s thrashing will count for anything when the sides step on to the pitch at the Polish National Stadium on Monday.

“I’m sad because before the break we really looked very good. And in the second half everything in our game fell apart, like a house of cards,” he told Polish newspaper Fakt.

“It will be tough, but I think we will manage. We have a better team than the Scots, we will play at home, we will have to run out and fight for this match, but I believe we will manage. Especially if we play like we did in the first half against Portugal.

“Now the most important thing is for the Poles to put the defeat in Porto out of their heads and focus on the most important task – defeating the Scots.”

Scotland remain big outsiders to finish in the top two of this section with many permutations potentially coming into play throughout what promises to be an exciting night.

However, they will have to overcome a wounded animal and a group of players with a point to prove if they are to stand a chance.