Skorupski: I Can Replace Szczęsny

Bologna goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski spoke in an interview with the Polish program *Foot Truck*, discussing the competition for the starting spot in the Polish national team, Luka Modrić's free-kick goal, and his dissatisfaction with former coach Paulo Sousa.

With Wojciech Szczęsny's retirement, the Polish national team needs a new starting goalkeeper. In September's Nations League matches, coach Probierz tested both Bartłomiej Drągowski and Skorupski.

Skorupski admitted that he is uncertain whether he will become the first-choice goalkeeper, but he believes he is capable: "It's hard to say whether I'm the number one goalkeeper for the Polish national team. That’s a question better suited for the coach. But I think that in recent matches, I've proven that I can replace Szczęsny. We’ll see what happens in October. I believe that despite our loss in the last match against Croatia, I performed quite well."

He continued: "Obviously, getting points is the most important thing, but from a personal standpoint, I think I did well in that game. We’ll see what happens in October and what decision the coach makes. But I believe that whenever the coach gives me an opportunity, I can handle it. I do my best in both matches and training to show the coach that I’m capable of being the national team’s first-choice goalkeeper. That’s my mindset."

In that match, Modrić scored a free-kick goal past Skorupski, helping Croatia secure the win. The goalkeeper recalled: "It was a 16-meter free-kick, and I was sure he would shoot powerfully toward where I was standing. But Modrić is one of the best players in the world. His technique is outstanding, and only a few can strike the ball like he did. Maybe it looked like I reacted a bit slowly, but in reality, my view was blocked by two Croatian players. I think Modrić's shot was perfect—one of the most beautiful free-kicks I've ever seen."

The 33-year-old goalkeeper has had a bumpy road in the national team and admitted that he once considered quitting, all because of Paulo Sousa's decisions: "In the 2021 match against San Marino, Sousa put Małecki in goal instead of me, and I was furious. I asked him, 'Coach, why not me? I should have played.' Sousa responded that he wanted to help Małecki because he wasn’t getting playing time at his club."

Skorupski expressed his frustration with Sousa, saying: "I told him, 'I’ve earned everything myself. I spent a long time on the bench, and now it’s my time to play.' I was furious. I thought, if he does this again, I’ll tell him not to call me up anymore."

Since making his debut in 2012, Skorupski has made 12 appearances for the Polish national team.