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Southgate dreads ‘fantastic’ Lewandowski after England’s WCQ draw

Robert Lewandowski - Poland
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The Three Lions boss has talked up the qualities of one prolific Pole who is going to be one of his biggest obstacles in the road to Qatar.

England has been drawn into a group of six alongside Poland, Hungary, Albania, Andorra, and San Marino in their qualification group for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Poland, the second-highest ranked nation among the six, will provide the Three Lions with their toughest test.

Keeping Robert Lewandowski quiet will be key to them for progressing from Group I, with Poland captain being in inspiring form for both club and country.

The striker netted six times in the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, hit a career-best tally of 55 strikes for Bayern Munich last term, and has already notched up 15 goals in as many games this season.

He was the top scorer in each of the Champions League, Bundesliga, and DFB-Pokal in 2019/210, helping Bayern complete a historical treble.

And Gareth Southgate is well aware that Lewandowski will not hesitate to ‘hurt’ England.

“He’s a fantastic player and he’s as good of a number nine as there is,” Southgate said, via Beanyman Sports.

“When you look at him, Harry Kane and [Romelu] Lukaku they are the number nines you think of as the best from around Europe.

“He is a player who can hurt you and his record for his country is phenomenally good. That’s the challenge we will face at some point but let’s see what the fixtures throw up tomorrow.”

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