Piotr Zieliński will not play against Romania, and Mateusz Borek's latest update has turned that into more than a one-match absence. The Poland midfielder arrived at camp with a foot injury, and the concern now is that Tuesday's game against Sweden could also come too soon.
Borek's update on Zieliński
Speaking to WP SportoweFakty, Borek said Zieliński arrived with a foot problem that makes acceleration, sprinting and turning a problem. He added: "I would not bet my hand being cut off that "Zielek" will appear on Tuesday against Sweden, our last appearance of the year, which also concludes the Nations League campaign."
Borek's other warning was just as clear: "Piotrek arrived at the training camp with a foot injury. It is very uncomfortable and limits the possibility of running. If it were about jogging, one could cope with it. But every acceleration, sprint and turn is a problem. Piotrek specifically has pain in part of the sole."
Why the Sweden doubt matters
The immediate issue is obvious enough. Sweden vs Poland is the next fixture in the frame, and the update from Borek suggests Zieliński's availability is no longer a simple question of being rested for Romania.
Poland also know what they lose if he misses another game. Since June 2025 against Finland, they have played 14 matches and Zieliński has started every one of them. In that run he has scored 4 goals and provided 3 assists.
His Nations League output points the same way. Zieliński has produced 64 line-breaking actions in the competition, with only Martin Odegaard ahead of him on 2. He also has 37 line-breaking actions in the final third, plus Poland's 5.5 open-play xG in the tournament points to how much of their chance creation has run through him.
Borek's update does not rule out a late recovery, and J. Urban will still have to make the final call. But the practical reading is straightforward: Romania is already out, and Sweden is now firmly in question.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →
