Euro 2024: Why is Robert Lewandowski not starting for Poland vs Austria?

Poland are set to take on Austria in the all important Group D fixture. Poland lost their opening encounter against Netherlands 2-1 in the absence of their star player and captain Robert Lewandowski. 

Heading into the must win encounter for Poland against Austria it was expected that Robert Lewandowski will be starting for his side. However, Poland has revealed the starting lineup against Austria and Robert Lewandowski is once again missing from the team sheet. So why is their generational striker not starting vs Austria?

Also Read | Poland vs Austria live score and updates

Why is Robert Lewandowski not starting for Poland vs Austria in Euro 2024?

Robert Lewandowski will not be playing for Poland vs Austria due to a thigh injury. In a terrible news for Poland and their hopes in Euros, Robert Lewandowski picked up a tear in the biceps femoris muscle in the friendly against Turkey  before the tournament. 

Lewandowski picked up the injury in the first half against Turkey in the warm up game and has been missing from action since then. While, Poland had hoped their captain could return for them as soon as possible but instead the injury continues to keep him on the sidelines.

However in a huge boost to Poland, this time Robert Lewandowski is available on the bench for his team. Despite not starting he come on from the bench in the second half and end up having a huge impact in the game. 

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Poland vs Austria starting lineups 

Poland Starting XI: Szczesny, Bednarek, Dawidowicz, Kiwior, Frankowski, Zielinski, Slisz, Piotrowski, Zalewski, Buksa, Piatek.

Subs: Salamon, Walukiewicz, Swiderski, Moder, Lewandowski, Grosicki, Skorupski, Romanchuk, Puchacz, Damian Szymanski, Bereszynski, Sebastian Szymanski, Bulka, Skoras, Urbanski.

Austria Starting XI: Pentz, Posch, Trauner, Lienhart, Mwene, Seiwald, Grillitsch, Laimer, Baumgartner, Sabitzer, Arnautovic.

Subs: Lindner, Wober, Danso, Prass, Gregoritsch, Hedl, Querfeld, Kainz, Schmid, Daniliuc, Seidl, Wimmer, Weimann, Entrup, Grull.