WARSAW: Poland striker Robert Lewandowski admitted he found it tough against the Russia defence in their 1-1 draw in a Group A match this morning as he battled with several opponents.

"Our aim is the qualification for the quarter-finals. We have now two draws and in the next game we must win," he said.

"It is unlucky that we have conceded a header from one of their smallest players. I have said we should stay on the line during the freekick, but we have not done that and the Russians could score due to the confusion of the players in the area."

Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich was in attendance at the match, but Lewandowski claims managers and directors watching him has little effect on his game. The 23-year-old Borussia Dortmand hitman has also being linked with Manchester United earlier.

"There are also a lot of other important managers at the Bundesliga matches and I do not really care about it," he said. "It is for me personally important to show now the best performance at the Euros for Poland."

The match itself has been overshadowed by violence between supporters of the two countries beforehand, but Russia took the lead in the first-half as Alan Dzagoev glanced Andrey Arshavin's freekick into the far corner. Jakub Blaszczykowski's great finish secured a point for Poland.

With Lewandowski once again Poland's lone striker, he often cut an isolated figure up front and he had to compete with Russian defence by himself at times.

"I have learned today something new, it was not easy to play against four, five defenders," he said.

"I had to work a lot for the team. I think we were today physically stronger than in the last game - the Russians had some problems with us and I think the Czechs will too.

"If I will get the support of my teammates then I will create some more chances. We must play very composed and without any hectic actions against the Czechs."

Poland's target for the competition is to simply get past the group stage, with their progression now resting on their match against the Czech Republic.

-mD

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