Pro Sports

Poland striker Milik looked to Ronaldo for inspiration

Posted June 29, 2016 7:00 am

By MIKE CORDER

Switzerland's Valon Behrami, right, and Poland's Arkadiusz Milik challenge for the ball during the Euro 2016 round of 16 soccer match between Switzerland and Poland, at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, France, Saturday, June 25, 2016. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP) The Associated Press

MARSEILLE, France (AP) - Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik is looking forward to meeting one of his footballing heroes in the European Championship quarterfinals: Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo in Marseille.

The 22-year-old Ajax striker is also in close contact with another mentor, Dennis Bergkamp, who memorably showed how to score at the Stade Velodrome in a 1998 World Cup quarterfinal win for the Netherlands over Argentina.

Milik admits he is still learning the striker's trade. He has found the net only once at Euro 2016 and has squandered a number of chances.

Ronaldo also had a slow start in France before scoring a memorable brace in Portugal's 3-3 draw with Hungary. The Real Madrid star now needs one goal to match Michel Platini's record of scoring nine goals in European Championship finals matches.

"I'm not hiding that it was only a few years ago that I was trying to learn from Cristiano Ronaldo as much as I could," Milik said Wednesday through an interpreter. "Players like that you need to follow and take some inspiration from. He's an example of hard work. It's not just talent, you need to work hard - he's a great example of that."

Milik insisted he wouldn't be star-struck at playing against the Real Madrid star on Thursday night as Portugal and Poland battle for a spot in the Euro 2016 semifinals.

"It's great that there's a chance for us to meet on the football pitch," he said. "But of course I will try to focus on me and my team and not look up at him."

The match will give hard-working Milik a chance to add to his tally of just one goal so far in the tournament and silence critics who have accused him of missing too many goal scoring opportunities.

"There were some chances and maybe I didn't have that cold blood in front of the goal," he conceded. "But I'm sure I have the skills to finish it off next time."

He faced similar criticism at Ajax last season, but finished strongly to notch 21 goals thanks in part to hard work with Ajax assistant coach Bergkamp, the former Arsenal star known for his finishing, not least the stunning late winner against Argentina in Marseille 18 years ago. Controlling a long diagonal pass with a single touch of his outstretched right foot, Bergkamp then turned inside defender Roberto Alaya and fired into the far corner with the outside of his boot.

"When I joined the club, we had a very good relationship because I wanted to spend a lot of time after the training sessions with finishing, with my technique and development," Milik said, adding that he is still in contact with his mentor. "What can I say? Dennis Bergkamp is a special person for me - he's a footballer who had a great career and you can constantly learn from him."

Poland's Arkadiusz Milik, top, and Switzerland's Valon Behrami vie for the ball during the Euro 2016 round of 16 soccer match between Switzerland and Poland, at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, France, Saturday, June 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) The Associated Press

Poland's Arkadiusz Milik scores on a penalty during the Euro 2016 round of 16 soccer match between Switzerland and Poland, at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, France, Saturday, June 25, 2016. Poland won 5-4 in a shootout. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani) The Associated Press

Poland's Arkadiusz Milik goes for a header during the Euro 2016 round of 16 soccer match between Switzerland and Poland, at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, France, Saturday, June 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) The Associated Press

Portugal's superstar Christiano Ronaldo exercises during a training session in Marcoussis, near Paris, France, Wednesday, June 29, 2016. Portugal will face Poland in a Euro 2016 quarter final soccer match in Marseille on Thursday, June 30, 2016. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) The Associated Press

Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo exercises with the ball during a training session in Marcoussis, near Paris, France, Wednesday, June 29, 2016. Portugal will face Poland in a Euro 2016 quarter final soccer match in Marseille on Thursday, June 30, 2016. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) The Associated Press

Cristiano Ronaldo attends a training session of the national soccer team of Portugal in Marcoussis, near Paris, France, Wednesday, June 29, 2016. Portugal will face Poland in a Euro 2016 quarter final soccer match in Marseille on Thursday, June 30, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers MLS Pro Sports Soccer Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.