STRONG POLES HAVE A POINT TO PROVE
Bayern Munich teammates Lewandowski, Rodriguez provide the stardust in Group H
The absence of any of the really big names in theory means Group H could be the most open of all in Russia, although both Poland and Colombia might have something to say about that. Aside from the hosts, the Poles — despite the presence of Robert Lewandowski up front — were the least glamorous of all the sides in Pot One when the draw was made last December.
They finished top of a qualifying group in which their main rivals were Denmark, and reached the quarterfinals at Euro 2016 — now Adam Nawalka’s side are hoping to take Poland to the knockout phase at a World Cup for the first time since 1986.
A strong squad spearheaded by Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski, but also featuring the likes of Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, Borussia Dortmund right-back Lukasz Piszczek, and Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik, should be good enough to get them through this group.
Meanwhile, Colombia are aiming to build on their impressive showing in Brazil four years ago, when they reached the last eight.
James Rodriguez was one of the stars of that tournament and he is still there, while Radamel Falcao is fit this time to lead the attack after a knee injury kept him out in 2014.
Colombia kick off their campaign against Japan in Saransk on June 19, and it is hard to know exactly what to expect of the Japanese given their build-up to the finals.
Veteran coach Vahid Halilhodzic was controversially sacked after qualifying the Blue Samurai for a sixth straight finals appearance.
Ex-Gamba Osaka boss Akira Nishino has replaced him and will hope to take a squad made up of a mix of home- and Europe-based players, including Dortmund’s Shinji Kagawa, out of the group stage.
Senegal are dreaming of doing the same as they return to the tournament for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals in 2002.
Aliou Cisse has a talented squad at his disposal, led by Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, and they could be dangerous outsiders, especially if they can take something from Poland in their opener in Moscow.
Whoever goes through could come up against Belgium or England in the last 16.
Meanwhile, Lewandowski aims to brush aside speculation about his Bayern Munich future by focusing on making up for his Euro 2016 disappointment with Poland at the World Cup in Russia.
The 29-year-old is coming off an impressive season which saw him finish as the Bundesliga’s top scorer for 2017/18 with 29 goals. He scored 41 times in 48 matches in all competitions for Bayern.
The star striker has a point to prove in Russia after netting just once in the finals of Euro 2016 as Poland exited in the quarter-finals.
An early goal in the last eight defeat to eventual winners Portugal was all Lewandowski had to show for five games in France, but he says there is a “big difference” in 2018.
“I wasn’t as fresh in France,” he said. “I’m sure that training will be better now and that I’ll be fresh and dynamic at the right time.
Colombia’s Rodriguez, Lewandowski’s teammate at Bayern, believes he has recaptured the sort of form that made him one of the stars of the 2014 World Cup as he targets a semi-final place with Colombia in this year’s tournament.
The skilful attacking midfielder lit up the finals in Brazil four years ago, finishing the tournament as winner of the coveted Golden Boot after leading the scoring charts with six goals in five matches.
Rodriguez was signed by Real Madrid just weeks after the World Cup, putting pen to paper on a six-year deal worth €71.9 million.
But Rodriguez’s dream move to Spain turned out to be laced with frustration. Instead of establishing himself as a cornerstone of a new generation of “galacticos”, the Colombian gradually found himself shunted to one side.
Desperate for game time with the World Cup looming, Rodriguez sought an exit from the Bernabeu and was thrown a lifeline when Bayern Munich snapped him up on a twoyear loan deal.
Since that move in July last year, Rodriguez has flourished, playing more regularly and with a verve that had been absent during his time in Madrid. “I’m at the same level I was in 2014. I played well because in that year [2014] I was playing regularly too,” added Rodriguez, who was at French side Monaco before the finals in Brazil.