Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jakub Moder was on the sidelines for more than 550 days before returning to the pitch last November. He finished the recently concluded season with 21 games in all competitions.
The Poland international’s form for the Seagulls saw him to return to the national team in March and he has made it to Michał Probierz’s squad for the Euros. Poland are pitted in Group D along with the Netherlands, France and Austria.
Speaking to TVP Sport, relayed by Voetbal International, the Brighton player has praised Oranje but warmed everyone in the group that underestimating Poland would be a mistake.
The fixture against the Netherlands will see Moder come up against some of his Brighton teammates, Jan Paul van Hecke, Joël Veltman and Bart Verbruggen. The 25-year-old is well aware of what to expect when Poland face Ronald Koeman’s men.
“I haven’t thought yet about how we can surprise the Dutch. That is up to the trainer. Have I not yet looked at how the Netherlands plays? No, of course I know that. That’s easy to look up, I know which players they have,” he said
“Their No.1 goalkeeper is also the No.1 goalkeeper of Brighton & Hove Albion. We talked a lot about the European Championship, about the first match. I love football, watch practically every competition. I know the players and what they can do.”
Poland come into the Euros as an underdog and the Brighton midfielder is of the belief this can certainly be an advantage for them.
“The fact that we are seen as underdogs can actually work to our advantage. Everyone thinks that France and the Netherlands are the favourites in our group. Because few people count on us, we feel little pressure. That is all the more a signal to show that we have a good team,” Moder explained.
Poland’s first clash is against the Netherlands on June 16th.
