Euro 2016: Match preview: Poland v Northern Ireland

Later the same day and England’s campaign starts against Russian Federation.

“But we have three centre-halves [in the squad] that play in the Premier League, they play against top centre forwards every week – [Olivier] Giroud, [Diego] Costa – which is in our favour. We have a lot of respect for Poland”. “They might have difficulties when they are not in possession against the top teams in the tournament”.

“Maybe there was an aspect that it did take us a while to settle into the game”.

“I don’t think that will be a problem for us because the lads all get along so well and the excitement will be there for us building up to our first match. There was more tension in that Greece game arguably than there will be tomorrow night because there was so much at stake, so I don’t have the concern the occasion will overawe us at all”. “We couldn’t be in better shape with regards the injury situation and the preparation of the team going into this game”.

“Once we get into the group games, there will be a quick turnaround between each one and we want to go out there an make the most of the opportunity we have created for ourselves”.

While the margin of defeat was slender, the statistics were telling.

Northern Ireland, whose striker Kyle Lafferty was their only player in the opposing half for much of the game, soon paid for their defensive approach.

Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill looks down during the Euro 2016 Group C soccer match between Poland and Northern Ireland at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice, France, Sunday, June 12, 2016.

O’Neill said the “personnel and system” may have changed by then.

O’Neill feels his side did well to keep their chances of salvaging a draw alive right until the final whistle, but acknowledged they did not deserve a point.

Michael O’Neill’s men are outsiders to reach the knockout stages while ex-players Michael Owen, Ray Wilkins and Alain Giresse have all predicted a short stay in France.

“The disappointment is that maybe in qualification that’s a game we might have taken something from”.

Next up is a tough match against Ukraine on Thursday in Lyon, before finishing group play against world champion Germany.

“You have to look at your opposition’s strength and weaknesses and try to exploit the weaknesses especially in a tournament like this”, he added.

Poland manager Adam Nawalka said his players were prepared physically, mentally and tactically.

“When it comes to sport, Northern Ireland has always punched above its weight”, said the 27-year-old world number three in a video shown to the players on Saturday entitled “Dare to Dream”.

“We are very happy with the win”.

“Of course, we are now thinking about the next match against Germany”.