France started off their campaign with a dominant 4-1 win over Australia, before getting the better of Denmark 2-1 and then suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Tunisia in their final group-match.
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France and Poland will go head to head at the Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday, aiming to secure a place in the quarter-finals of Qatar World Cup. Les Bleus came through to the knockouts as Group D winners, having won their first two games to collect six points. Their final group match against Tunisia ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Tunisia, but that didn’t deny them a top spot in their section. Poland, meanwhile, started off their campaign with a goalless draw against Mexico in their opener before getting the better of Saudi Arabia 2-0. Although the Eagles lost 2-0 to Argentina in their final group match, Czeslaw Michniewicz’s side edged past Mexico on goal-difference to earn a spot in the round of 16 stage.
Voilà le “duc”, qui a gagné l’opposition à la fin de l’entraînement d’ailleurs 😉 https://t.co/FA7oBoChno pic.twitter.com/SPQka4cHWf
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) December 2, 2022
Read more: England vs Senegal: FIFA World cup Live Stream, Form Guide, Schedule, Fixture and Probable Lineups
French boss Didier Deschamps probably has one of the most balanced and talented squads at his disposal. There are world class players in all departments and it will be difficult to imagine Les Bleus not going a long way in the tournament. The 54-year-old tactician is expected to opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Olivier Giroud deployed as the target-man up front. Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele would play around the big striker. Mbappe and Dembele have enough pace to burn and could occupy the wings, while Griezmann might be deployed in a free role behind the strike. Real Madrid-man Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot will try to pick the pieces in the middle of the park and look to dominate the midfield battle. Meanwhile, Raphael Varane and Dayot Upamecano will form the centre-back partnership, with Theo Hernandez and Jules Kounde occupying the flanks.
As for Poland, Michniewicz is likely to go with the 4-4-2 formation, with last game’s hero Wojciech Szczesny occupying the goal. The Juventus-man would be protected by the back-four of Matty Cash, Jakub Kiwior, Kamil Glik and Bartosz Bereszynski. Krystian Bielik and Gregorz Krychowiak will be dealing with the midfield battle. Piotr Zielinski and Przemyslaw Frankowski will appear on the flanks and they will play a crucial role during counter-attacks. Robert Lewandowski and Arkadiusz Milik will double up up front forming the strike partnership.
France defender Lucas Hernandez, who sustained an ACL injury in the 4-1 win over Australia in their opening fixture, has been sent back home, while his replacement Theo Hernandez has reportedly been nursing an ankle issue, but is likely to be available for Sunday’s game. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola has recovered from a back problem to make the bench against Tunisia. As for Poland, Michniewicz has a fully fit squad at his disposal.
France possible lineup (4-2-3-1): Lloris, Kounde, Upamecano, Varane, Hernandez, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud
Poland possible lineup (4-4-2): Szczesny, Cash, Kiwior, Glik, Bereszynski, Zielinski, Bielik, Krychowiak, Frankowski, Milik, Lewandowski.
