Michał Gurgul workload and Lech Poznań request
Twenty minutes after the final whistle in Bucharest, selection choices dominated post-match analysis across Polish football broadcasts. Just four points from five matches in the UEFA Nations League group stage left Poland facing severe criticism following a 1-2 defeat to Romania.
Artur Wichniarek argued in Kanał Sportowy that head coach Jan Urban should have called up Michał Gurgul for the November squad. “Gurgul obróciłby się z głową między jajkami i wracałby na gazie, goniąc swojego zawodnika, który jest w jego strefie”, said Artur Wichniarek, former Poland international, told Kanał Sportowy.
While Gurgul missed out on the senior national team, his heavy club workload prompted action from his employers. Lech Poznań reported that the 20-year-old left-back has played 2,162 minutes this season, making him the most heavily used outfield player in the squad.
Club officials contacted Poland U-21 coach Jerzy Brzęczek with a direct appeal. SportoweFakty reported that Lech asked the youth selection staff to grant the defender a rest during the current international window.
Jerzy Brzęczek response and Norway match
Brzęczek accommodated the request from Poznań ahead of the team’s fixtures. Gurgul did not play a single minute in the under-21 team’s 2-0 victory against Norway, watching from the bench while Jakub Krzyżanowski started at left-back.
That absence marked a rare break for the defender. Weszlo.com said that the player had not finished an international youth match without appearing on the pitch since the previous under-21 European Championship.
The youth squad faces Serbia next in Murcia, Spain. SportoweFakty confirmed that the fixture concludes the current training camp following earlier qualification successes.
Frequently asked questions about player call-ups
Why did Lech Poznań ask for a rest for Michał Gurgul?
The club pointed to extreme fatigue after the player logged nearly 2,200 minutes across 25 matches this season, combined with an injury to natural backup Joao Moutinho.
How did Jerzy Brzęczek respond to the club’s appeal?
The U-21 coach left the defender on the bench for the entire match against Norway, where Jakub Krzyżanowski started in his place.
What are Poland’s next matches in the current international window?
The senior team faces Sweden on Tuesday, while the under-21 squad plays Serbia in Murcia on the same day.
Gurgul contributes to Lech Poznań
Meczyki.pl reported that Gurgul has contributed one goal and four assists for Lech Poznań this season while featuring in every league and European fixture.
Urban’s future with the senior national team remains uncertain ahead of the Tuesday fixture against Sweden. SportoweFakty said that the squad will close out its Nations League group commitments on Tuesday.
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