Marek Hamšík proves that he’s still got it as Slovakia beat Poland in Saint Petersburg

Milan Škriniar would have taken all the plaudits for his winner in the 69th minute, but Slovakia’s captain proved how much quality he still holds as his experience was vital throughout.

33-year-old Marek Hamšík has really gone off the radar ever since his move to China from Napoli back in February 2019.

Since then, he returned to Europe to play for IFK Göteborg in Sweden as he looked to prepare himself for the European Championships.

Hamšík is mostly remembered for his mohawk but his quality on the pitch and his international experience is ever so important.

When the Slovakia line up was announced, Štefan Tarkovič went without an out and out striker as he opted with Ondrej Duda and Hamšík up top in a 4-4-2 formation.

The duo would often drop deeper and most of the time create an overload in midfield which caused Poland many problems.

Poland looked to control possession early on in the game but Slovakia were on their toes at all times as they defended well.

The roles reversed as the Slovaks grew into the game even more by using their passing and possession to good effect.

Robert Mak really tested the capabilities of Poland’s right flank and was able to get past Kamil Jozwiak and Bartosz Bereszynski with ease.

The winger was able to fire a shot at goal which bounced off the post and then off Wojciech Szczesny as the Poland goalkeeper was unfortunate to see the ball roll into the back of his own goal.

Hamšík did find it difficult to find shooting opportunities as he was closed down quickly by the lively Maciej Rybus and the centre-back partnership of Kamil Glik and Jan Bednarek.

The captain was able to get one effort away which wasn’t blocked but that one ended up well wide of Szczesny’s goal as the Slovaks ended the half ahead.

It took Poland approximately 30 seconds to equalise in the second-half. Rybus crossed the ball into the path of Karol Linetty and the midfielder rolled the ball into the bottom corner of the goal past the diving Martin Dubravka.

After a positive start to the half, the White and Reds encountered a disastrous moment in the 62nd minute as Grzegorz Krychowiak was sent off for a second bookable offence.

From that point on, Slovakia were able to once more get back into their rhythm and overload the midfield pilling more pressure onto the Poland defence.

That breakthrough came only seven minutes after the sending off of Krychowiak. Hamšík was there with the assist as the skipper nodded the ball into the path of Škriniar who blasted his effort into the back of the net.

Poland looked to search for an equaliser once more but they failed to do so as Slovakia showed how important it was hitting the target as they has two at Szczesny’s goal and converted both.

Both sides now face tough tests at the weekend as Poland face Spain in Seville with Slovakia facing Sweden in Saint Petersburg.

If Slovakia can execute the game plan that they were able to do against the Poles then they may be on the path to an unlikely Round of 16 appearance.

Hamšík’s involvement in this game plan will be massive as the skipper and Duda will need to drop back to continue with the midfield overload which was so effective against Poland.

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