Pentz is not worried about Lewandowski

Opponent Poland is led by Robert Lewandowski, a first-class goal scorer. ÖFB goalkeeper Patrick Pentz is aware of the challenge, but was nevertheless very calm on Wednesday. “We have been warned, but we still don’t have to be afraid of him,” explained the Salzburg player.

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Goalkeeper coach Michael Gspurning has already prepared Pentz for Lewandowski and his attacking colleagues with video sequences. One conclusion from this: “It’s not just about Lewandwoski. We are preparing for the entire Poland squad and all of their strikers.”

“Can score a goal with any part of his body”

Nevertheless, the goal scorer, who has recovered from a muscle injury, is Poland’s outstanding personality. “We know that Lewandowski has been one of the best strikers in Europe over the last 15 years. He has brutal quality in the box and can score a goal with just about any part of his body,” said Pentz. However, he is not too worried about this. “Because we have not conceded many goals recently.” There were four in five international matches this year. In his seven appearances for the Austrian Football Association so far, Pentz has kept one clean sheet – in March in a test match in Slovakia (2:0).

Pentz said that the collective effort is needed to prevent goals being scored against. “We have to defend well as a whole team, concede as little as possible and play our game.” In the 0:1 defeat against France, this was at least partially successful, which makes the keeper confident for the duel with Poland. “We saw that we can hurt the French too. We have put aside our respect for the tournament and will go into the match 100 percent focused,” promised Pentz.

“There is a first time for everything”

For the Denmark legionnaire and his teammates, Friday is also about ending a negative run – Austria has been waiting for a win against Poland for 30 years. “There’s a first time for everything. We will do everything we can to end this series,” announced Pentz. Poland also started with a defeat, losing 1:2 against the Netherlands. However, coach Michal Probierz’s team presented themselves as equal opponents for long stretches. “We are by no means underestimating them,” explained Pentz. The 27-year-old expects a tough match. “It will definitely be more physical than against France.”

Pentz impressed as Austria’s number one against “Les Bleus”, although he wasn’t even in the team squad a few months ago. Match practice at Bröndby and Alexander Schlager’s injury ultimately made him the first-choice goalkeeper. “It’s important for me to enjoy every second of this tournament. It’s cool to be part of such a major event and to compete with big players. I’ll give it my all and give my best performance,” said Pentz, who is passing the time at the EURO camp in Berlin by playing golf, among other things.