Marseille (AFP) – Misfiring Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik has turned to Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp for assistance ahead of Thursday’s Euro 2016 quarter-final against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
Milik scored Poland’s opening goal when the White Eagles beat Northern Ireland in their Group C curtain-raiser on their way to an unlikely place in the quarter-finals against Portugal on Thursday.
The Ajax Amsterdam striker has admitted since that his finishing has gone awry and indicated that he has asked Bergkamp, the Dutch club’s assistant manager, for help.
“Since he joined the club (Ajax) we have formed a very good relationship and we’re in regular contact. We’re texting each other here,” said Milik.
“What can I say? Dennis Bergkamp is very special to me. He had a wonderful career and you can always learn something from him and I’m still learning from him.”
Milik joined Ajax on loan ahead of the 2014-2015 season and did enough to be handed the number nine shirt the following season when he replaced Icelandic striker Kolbeinn Sigborsson.
But while he has been benefiting from the experience of one of the greatest forward players of his generation, the 22-year-old Polish striker admits facing Portugal in Marseille will be another career landmark.
He is also a huge admirer of Ronaldo, and admitted he has been watching the Real Madrid star in admiration for years.
“I’m not hiding that,” added Milik. “I’ve been trying to learn as much as I could from watching him.
“You can’t help but be inspired by him. He’s talented, but he also puts in a lot of hard work.
“It will be special for me to play against him tomorrow, but of course I will try to focus on my team instead of looking up to him! “
Appearing in their third consecutive Euro, Poland have reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
Despite going in as underdogs at Stade Velodrome in Marseille, Milik added: “For the bookmakers, it would be a surprise for Poland to qualify, but we know our strengths and we know we’re capable of going through.”
