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Poland v Scotland: Mila determined to build on Germany win

SoccerNews in European Championships 12 Oct 2014

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Sebastian Mila wants Saturday’s historic Euro 2016 Qualifying victory over Germany to be a turning point for Poland as they face Scotland.

The Poles finally secured a win over the world champions at the 19th time of asking when Joachim Low’s side were beaten 2-0 in front of a sell-out crowd of 56,934 at the National Stadium in Warsaw.

Arkadiusz Milik and substitute Mila were on target in the second half as Adam Nawalka’s men made it two wins out of two in Group D.

Poland sit top of the group level on six points with the Republic of Ireland after that stunning win.

Slask Wroclaw midfielder Mila reflected with pride on a long-awaited triumph over Poland’s arch-rivals, but stressed the importance of following it up with another three points against Scotland at the same venue on Tuesday.

“I dreamed about playing but it was beyond my imagination that we would win and I would score.” Mila is quoted by UEFA’s official website.

“It was pure daydreaming but it really happened and I am happy that thanks to my goal millions of Poles had a great time.

“It was a great evening which will be remembered for many years, a heroic fight. I don’t feel like a hero, though. I was just small part of a perfect puzzle.

“Our win will be even more precious if we beat Scotland. This victory must be a turning point for us. We left our hearts on the field, but we will be ready for Scotland.”

The Scots were beaten by Germany in their Group D opener, but they head into Tuesday’s game buoyed by a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Georgia on Saturday.

Gordon Strachan’s side were 1-0 winners over Poland when the two sides met in a friendly in Warsaw back in March, with Scott Brown scoring the only goal of the game.

Robert Lewandowski was rested for that match and Scotland assistant manager Mark McGhee knows Poland are a different proposition with their talismanic captain in the side.

“I don’t think he makes Poland a totally different team but he I feel he makes a huge difference to them and you saw that against Germany,” said McGhee.

“It’s like listening to Chris Coleman talking about Wales with or without Gareth Bale and the effect his presence has on everyone around him.

“Lewandowski is a star player for them and there is also the impact it can have on the opposition, knowing they have a player of that stature.

“He’s the same as the Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic in my opinion – they are of a similar level.

“They are in the next batch below the top level – the absolute best.

“Our defence have seen off Mandzukic already so I wouldn’t imagine they’ll have any fears about facing Lewandowski.”

Nawalka could field an unchanged side following the victory over Germany, while Strachan is unlikely to tinker with his starting line-up after describing the performance against Georgia as the best of his reign.

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