For his first in a major competition, Lukasz Skorupski stood out in Poland’s draw against the France team on Tuesday at Euro 2024 (1-1). The Bologna goalkeeper (33 years old), usual replacement for Wojciech Szczesny in the selection, made many decisive saves against the Blues. By only giving in to a penalty from Kylian Mbappé.
Frustrated for a long time under his protective mask, Kylian Mbappé believed that he would never succeed in deceiving him. For his first in a major competition, Lukasz Skorupski pulled out all the stops during the draw between the France team and Poland on Tuesday at Euro 2024 (1-1). On his line, under the bar, close to his posts, the 33-year-old goalkeeper made numerous decisive saves to prevent the captain of the Blues from finding the fault. And it took a penalty obtained by Ousmane Dembélé for Bondy’s crack to finally shake the net (56th). The only way to beat Lukasz Slorupski at Signal Iduna Park…
For the rest, the Bologna goalkeeper, who was honoring his 11th selection, disgusted the French attackers throughout the game. Didier Deschamps’ players, however, have had a series of dangerous situations and clear opportunities in the lair of Borussia Dortmund. While aiming for a victory to finish at the top of Group D, the Blues (finally second behind Austria) attempted 19 shots, including eight on target. But the last Polish rampart brilliantly repelled everything.
Congratulations from Mbappé
His performance logically allowed him to collect the man of the match trophy. A distinction that Lukasz Skorupski dedicated to his family on social networks, thanking them for supporting him “for better and for worse”. His wife Matilde Rossi, a 32-year-old former model, was also in the stands to witness his feats, in the company of their son, who wore a white and red Eagles jersey emblazoned with No. 12.
“Kylian Mbappé came to me after the whistle, we congratulated each other, explained the hero of the day in comments reported by the Polish press. It was nice from one of the best footballers in the world, if not the best. It shows that everything is possible in football (…) That’s my job, to be able to be. ready and help the team in such a moment. It worked well. A shiver went down my spine because it was my debut in a big tournament. I worked hard to be ready and I think I answered the question. confidence of the coach.”
Poland’s future number 1?
Little known to the general public, Lukasz Skorpuski had never participated in a Euro or World Cup match (he remained in the shadows in 2021 and 2022). Last week, during Poland’s two defeats against the Netherlands (2-1) and Austria (3-1), Wojniech’s replacement Szczseny remained on the bench. As is often the case, even if he still played a preparation match against Ukraine at the beginning of the month (3-1).
During this gala display against the Blues, Michal Probierz decided to reward him for his investment, knowing that Poland was already eliminated before the match. The coach perhaps also wanted to prepare for the next deadlines, while Szczseny (34 years old) announced his international retirement. After such a performance, it’s hard not to imagine seeing Skorupski back at the start of the Nations League (against Scotland, Croatia and Portugal). This would be an achievement for the 1.88m goalkeeper, whose first appearance for the national team dates back to December 2012. Twelve years later, he could become the country’s number 1.
An attractive season with Bologna
Born on May 5, 1991 in Zabrze, southern Poland, Lukasz Skorupski was trained in his hometown, before being recruited in 2013 by AS Roma (890,000 euros). But he failed to establish himself in the Italian capital. After sixteen appearances, including two in the Champions League (against Manchester City and Bayern Munich), and a two-year loan to Empoli (2015-2017), the 1.88m goalkeeper bounced back in Bologna in 2018 (9 millions of euros).
Having become a starter in the Emilia-Romagna club (where he is under contract until 2025), he has just completed an attractive 2023-2024 in Italy, with 29 goals conceded in 34 matches (all competitions combined). Bologna finished in fifth place in Serie A, ahead of teams like AS Roma, Lazio, Fiorentina and Naples. By posting the third best defense in the championship, behind Inter and Juventus.
