Meet The Future Euro Champs: Defensive Midfielders.

June 6th, 2008 | by: tomasz |

Leo Beenhakker is the first Polish national coach that has successfully employed a strategy involving two defensive midfielders. As we play in 4-5-1 (4-2-3-1 to be more specific) tactics those players are crucial for both our defensive and offensive play.

At the same time, Leo picked players that nobody considered key members of the squad two years ago. Mariusz Lewandowski had always been considered one of the weakest links in the squad. A lot of people said that he was good for a centre back but not skilled enough for a midfielder. Dariusz Dudka was a laughing stock two years ago when his poor marking led to Odonkor’s cross and, consequently, a winning goal for Germany in Dortmund. Two years on, they are both considered heroes of the qualifying campaign and Lewandowski is even called a leader of our midfield. It’s the best proof for Leo effect. The remaining backup defensive midfielders are Rafal Murawski, one of the most hard working players in the Polish league, and Michal Pazdan, the biggest surprise in our Euro squad. The only question is, can our defensive midfielders be calm under pressure?

Mariusz Lewandowski:
Date of Birth: 18.05.1979
Position: DM
Club: Shakhtar Donetsk
Number of caps: 47/3 goals
Shirt nr: 18
Nickname: Lewy
Role in the team: a leader of our midfield. His role is to distribute the ball and organize the play. His task is also to close mark the opponent’s playmaker. Rather calm on the ball, at least when not under pressure. Ferocious tackler, has a powerful shot.
My opinion: I went from being irritated by him to really enjoying his play in two years. I never expected he could make such progress. It all came with experience, both in national team and in the Champions League. A key player, definitely.
Interesting fact: Lewy wore nr 10 jersey in our defeat against Latvia in 2002. He was severely critisized and laughed at by the press afterwards, especially that nr 10 is associated with a skilful playmaker (and Lewy has never been a one). This was the last time he’s ever picked nr 10 in a nt game.
Best known for: scoring against Portugal away (famous ‘popraw, popraw’ by Szpakowski)

Dariusz Dudka:
Date of Birth: 19.12.1983
Position: DMC, DC, DL
Club: Wisla Krakow
Number of caps: 26/2 goals
Shirt nr: 5
Nickname: don’t know any
Role in the team: an aid to Lewy in the centre of the field. He’s to play more offensively than Lewy and try some opening passes. It is Leo that made him a defensive midfielder, before he usually played as a centre back. Just as Lewy, hard tackler and a good shooter from the distance.
My opinion: another player that I had to change my opinion about in the last two years. He never looked really convincing as a defender, always mistake prone. He still can ruin the game with a simple mistake, but those are not as fatal in the midfield. Can play a fine opening ball one minute and then have problems with first touch the next minute.
Interesting fact: rather saddening than interesting, Dudka killed a person crossing the street with his car when he drove the morning after a not-so-alcohol-free evening.
Best known for: that fatal mistake against Germany

Rafal Murawski:
Date of Birth: 09.10.1981
Position: DMC, MC, AMC
Club: Lech Poznan
Number of caps: 9/1 goal
Shirt nr: 19
Nickname: Muras
Role in the team: he’s the first defensive midfielder to come off the bench. He can also play as a central attacking midfielder. A more offensive player than Lewy or Dudka, gives Leo extra options. Good shot from distance.
My opinion: for me his main characteristic is that he can’t be classified neither as a defensive player nor as an offensive player. He just plays in the centre midfield wherever needed. He lacks physicality and aggresiveness for a true defensive midfielder. His best game in the nt was against Serbia, when he played as an AMC. After inclusion of Roger he doesn’t have a chance to play on this position. Can be used both when we defend (comes in for AMC) and when we have to score (comes in for a DMC).
Interesting fact: Leo was very surprised that he had never heard about him from his assistants after watching one of Muras’ games.
Best known for: a good performance and a goal against Serbia

Michal Pazdan:
Date of Birth: 21.09.1987
Position: DMC, DC
Club: Gornik Zabrze
Number of caps: 5/0 goals
Shirt nr: 15
Nickname: Arbuz (a Watermelon), Pazdzioch
Role in the team: to sit on the bench and watch others play. It is a common opinion that he’s our 23rd squad member with no chance of entering the field whatsoever. However, knowing Leo’s fearless nature, we may be in for a surprise.
My opinion: I can see why Leo keeps him in the team. It’s because Pazdan is a player that fulfills his philosophy of keeping the ball. I was surprised when I first saw him by how naturally and elegantly he distributes the ball. I also observed that he has problems when playing under pressure. I also can’t say if he’s able to play a good diagonal ball to the strikers.
Interesting fact: only a year ago he played in the Polish third division for Hutnik Krakow. Called up by Leo after only a few games in the Polish top flight.
Best known for: journalists’ surprise when Leo announced his inclusion in the squad for Euro training camp