France will begin their World Cup last-16 conflict as overwhelming favourite’s on Sunday however opponents Poland are effectively geared up to derail Les Bleus’ title protection on the Al Thumama stadium.
France certified for the knockout section with a recreation to spare after two fashionable performances in opposition to Australia and Denmark, and had been fast to maneuver on from a 1-0 defeat by Tunisia within the final Group D match after enjoying with a reserve aspect.
Les Bleus will face 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 🇵🇱 within the 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝟭𝟲 👊
Cancel your Sunday afternoon plans 😉#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/u6gFUEFJLL
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) November 30, 2022
Poland went by means of regardless of a 2-0 loss to Argentina of their final Group C recreation, carried by means of the opening section by their sturdy defence and the contact of striker Robert Lewandowski. France will enter the competition with most of their high gamers having recharged their batteries, however persistence, greater than vitality, may be key in opposition to Poland.
“They have experienced players. Obviously, Lewandowski is the stand-out player, one of the best strikers in the world,” stated coach Didier Deschamps. “We should not underestimate them.”
Forward Kingsley Coman was equally cautious.
“It’s a World Cup game, anything is possible. Being the favorite doesn’t mean anything.”
France typically struggles in opposition to compact sides who defend deep, corresponding to Poland, however Deschamps has the instruments at his disposal to crack a recreation huge open. While Kylian Mbappe, who’s chasing data in Qatar after already scoring seven World Cup earlier than the age of 24, would possibly discover it exhausting to make use of his devastating tempo in opposition to a packed defence Ousmane Dembele could possibly be France’s most important menace.
The ahead’s relentless dribbling, jinking a technique earlier than bursting previous the opposite, may show powerful to deal with for the Poles, who will even must preserve a detailed eye on Olivier Giroud within the field. The 36-year-old goal man will turn into France’s all-time high scorer if he finds the again of the online for his 52nd worldwide purpose and transfer one forward of Thierry Henry.
A contact of French aptitude on @OkMbappe‘s 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙈𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙨 🇫🇷😉#KM #Mercurial #NikeFC #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/QChUuTQazk
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) December 1, 2022
Mbappe will even threaten, particularly together with attack-minded left again Theo Hernandez. The French defence has been removed from good up to now, with Raphale Varane wanting under his greatest after a hamstring damage, and the Manchester United participant might want to discover high type as a mouthwatering duel with Lewandowski looms.
“The best way to defend against him is to make sure he does not get the ball,” his former staff mate at Bayern Munich Coman stated.
France’s final line of defence, keeper Hugo Lloris, shall be on excessive alert ought to Lewandowski obtain the ball within the hazard zone. Lloris is ready to earn his 142nd cap, which can carry him stage with file holder Lilian Thuram.
The winner of Sunday’s match will face both England or Senegal within the quarter-finals.
