FRANCE WILL NEED PATIENCE TO PROGRESS
France will start their last-16 clash as overwhelming favourites but Poland are well equipped to derail Les Bleus’ title defence in the match kicking off at 11pm tonight (Hong Kong time).
France qualified for the knockout phase with a game to spare, and were quick to move on from a 1-0 defeat by Tunisia in their last Group D match after playing with a reserve side. Poland went through despite a 2-0 loss to Argentina in their last Group C game, carried through the opening phase by their sturdy defence and the touch of striker Robert Lewandowski.
France will enter the contest with most of their top players having recharged their batteries, but patience, more than energy, might be key against Poland.
“They have experienced players. Obviously Lewandowski is the stand-out player, one of the best strikers in the world,” coach Didier Deschamps said. “We should not underestimate them.”
Forward Kingsley Coman was equally cautious. “It’s a World Cup game, anything is possible. Being the favourites doesn’t mean anything.”
France often struggle against compact sides who defend deep, such as Poland, but Deschamps has the tools at his disposal to crack a game wide open.
While Kylian Mbappe, who is chasing records in Qatar after already scoring seven World Cup goals before the age of 24, might find it hard to use his devastating pace against a packed defence, Ousmane Dembele could be France’s main threat. The forward’s relentless dribbling could prove tough to handle for the Poles, who will also need to keep a close eye on Olivier Giroud in the box. The 36-year-old target man will become France’s all-time top scorer if he gets his 52nd international goal, one ahead of Thierry Henry.
Mbappe will also threaten, especially in combination with attack-minded left back Theo Hernandez. The winner of this intriguing clash will face a date with either England or Senegal in the quarter-finals.