France will begin Sunday’s World Cup last-16 conflict as favourites, however opponents Poland are effectively ready to derail Les Bleus’ title protection on the Al Thumama Stadium.
France certified for the knockout stage after two spectacular performances towards Australia and Denmark, and had been fast to advance following a 1–0 defeat by Tunisia within the last Group D match after taking part in with the reserve facet.
Les Blues will face the final 1𝟲 👊 in 𝗣𝗔𝗗𝗗 🇵🇱
Cancel your Sunday afternoon plans 😉#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/u6gFUEFJLL
– French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) November 30, 2022
Poland progressed by way of the opening levels regardless of a 2–0 loss to Argentina of their last Group C recreation due to their sturdy defending and the touches of striker Robert Lewandowski. France will enter the competition with most of their prime gamers having recharged their batteries, however composure may very well be extra essential than power towards Poland.
“They have experienced players. Obviously, Lewandowski is the stand-out player, one of the best strikers in the world,” mentioned coach Didier Deschamps. “We must not underestimate him.”
Forward Kingsley Coman was equally cautious.
“It’s a World Cup recreation, something is feasible. There’s no level in being favourites.
France usually wrestle towards compact sides that defend deep, comparable to Poland, however Deschamps has the instruments to interrupt open play. While Kylian Mbappe, who’s chasing a file in Qatar after scoring seven World Cup objectives already earlier than the age of 24, might discover it tough to make use of his devastating tempo towards packed defences, Ousmane Dembele may very well be France’s principal menace .
The ahead’s fixed dribbling, flicking one facet to the opposite, may show tough to deal with for the Poles, who may even must hold a detailed eye on Olivier Giroud within the field. The 36-year-old goal man will develop into France’s all-time prime scorer if he finds the again of the online for his 52nd worldwide purpose and goes one forward of Thierry Henry.
contact of french aptitude @OkMbappe#km #mercurial #NikeFC #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/QChUuTQazk
– French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) December 1, 2022
Mbappe may even be threatening, particularly together with attack-minded left-back Theo Hernandez. The French protection has not been good thus far, with Raphael Varane trying beneath his finest after a hamstring harm, and the Manchester United participant might want to discover prime type as a mouth-watering duel with Lewandowski looms .
His former teammate at Bayern Munich Koeman mentioned, “The best way to defend against him is to make sure he doesn’t get the ball.”
France’s final line of defence, keeper Hugo Lloris, shall be on excessive alert if Lewandowski receives the ball within the hazard zone. Lloris is ready to earn his 142nd cap, which can deliver him stage with file holder Lilian Thuram.
The winner of Sunday’s match will face both England or Senegal within the quarter-finals.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
