Polish coach Michał Probierz rung the changes against Austria, bringing in Slisk, Piotrkowski, Dawidowic and Piątek for Romanczuk, Szymanski, Urbanski and Solomon. He also tweaked the formation from a 3-4-3 to a 3-5-2, pairing Buksa with Piątek up front.
However, Poland started the game sluggishly and fell behind in the eighth minute when the Austrian center back converted a free header at the near post.
The Poles responded positively to going behind, winning more possession and looking more threatening. With a little more composure, Zalewski could have equalized but instead blazed over from just inside the area after the ball had fallen to him invitingly.
Poland's pressure paid off just before the half hour mark. Poacher and surprise inclusion Krzysztof Piątek snapped up the opportunity that fell his way, guiding the ball into the corner from close range after a blocked shot fell into his path.
Poland went in at half time with their tails up. Although the first period had been largely even, the Poles had edged the latter stages, looking particularly dangerous from wide positions when their wing backs, Frankowski and Zalewski, were able to run at the opposition and put crosses in.
Probierz played a similar card to the one he deployed against the Netherlands, making a half time switch (Moder for Piotrkowski in central midfield). Just over ten minutes later he made a more dramatic double substitution, introducing Swiderski and the keenly awaited Lewandowski.
Both, however, were largely bystanders as Austria started to boss possession and reclaimed the lead through Christian Baumgartner, who was afforded far too much time on the edge of the area to pick his spot and stroke the ball into the bottom corner.
More gaping holes began emerging in Poland's defense as they found themselves stretched chasing an equalizer. Marcel Sabitzer found himself with a clean run through on goal and was caught by Szczęsny as he rounded the keeper and tumbled inside the area. The referee had no choice but to award the Austrians a penalty. Captain Arnautovic stepped up and confidently dispatched it in the corner to make it 3-1.
Despite switching to a 3-4-3 and introducing their star striker, Probierz's team were largely out of ideas and in the end were a little fortunate to not concede more.
The Poles now go into their final group match with France on Tuesday knowing that they need a win if they are to give themselves a remote chance of qualifying from an especially tough group.
