If France want a lesson in how to not deal with a second-leg draw in opposition to outwardly average continental friends, they want solely look again 17 months. A Euro 2020 project in opposition to Switzerland in entrance of a Covid-reduced crowd in Bucharest did little to lift the heartbeat on paper and maybe that was the issue: though they belatedly got here to life going ahead it was a distinct story on the different finish, a late collapse led to a penalty shootout and Kylian Mbappé missed the decisive kick.
There are parallels with the duty they face in opposition to Poland on Sunday. Few are actually anticipating a thriller, particularly those that have watched Czeslaw Michniewicz’s facet over the previous two weeks, and the danger is {that a} predicted blow might be in retailer. This time, France have to be absolutely on, making an allowance for the teachings rehearsed throughout final yr’s post-tournament debriefings.
“We talked about it lots, particularly within the months after the Euros, and it’s a issue,” Hugo Lloris, talking on Saturday, admitted of Switzerland’s defeat. “For such an essential match, you can not afford to chill out and lose focus. Every little thing has to work.”
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Which means slipping again into the well-oiled groove that took them emphatically previous Australia and, not with no wobble or two, a Danish facet that has fallen by the wayside. They cannot declare to be long-legged: Didier Deschamps was very happy to take the rap after Wednesday’s recreation when a disorganized and patternless facet misplaced to Tunisia, as all however two of his favourite starters had been given many of the afternoon off. Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé and firm are among the many most rested stars in a elaborate, cut-throat match and are anticipated to make it depend.
“You’ll be able to’t simply wait on your opponent – it’s important to be on the entrance foot,” mentioned Lloris, who will equal Lilian Thuram’s report of 142 caps for Les Bleus when he regains his place in purpose. “We have now to provide it our all and, once we get an opportunity, take these alternatives.”
They might want to discover sufficient gamers in type to take action in opposition to a Polish facet that Deschamps mentioned “prefer to defend” and specifically will hope some weight might be taken off Mbappé’s shoulders. Typically it feels as if the Paris Saint-Germain ahead is content material to unravel all the things alone however that’s no method to maintain the trophy.
Possibly it is time for Griezmann to return. He has featured in 70 straight video games for France, a exceptional feat, and worldwide soccer has at instances appeared as a refuge from uneven membership fortunes over the previous two years. However he hasn’t scored in his final dozen, though that appears like a harsh conclusion given the bizarreness of not permitting a late equalizer after approaching in opposition to Tunisia; a repeat of 2018, when three of his 4 objectives got here within the knockout levels, could be welcome.
Deschamps has realized that the key to getting the very best out of Griezmann is hard love or, no less than, robust as. “I am not going to speak about love however for those who do not like your gamers it will be very troublesome,” he mentioned. “If I do not like them, I do not decide them for the squad within the first place. For Antoine and some others, we all know one another and belief one another very properly, however that does not imply I am unable to be trustworthy with him and provides him recommendation as he may not at all times recognize.”
The hazard in that seek for versatile leading edge lies within the potential for defensive lapses, as was confirmed in opposition to Switzerland. It is particularly dangerous once you face Robert Lewandowski, who’s served the thinnest gruel on this Polish crew however leaves little doubt by way of actions, deeds and phrases that his second and closing World Cup means all the things. Lewandowski was visibly emotional as he broke his duck at this degree in opposition to Saudi Arabia; the sands of time are operating in the direction of him and each half likelihood might be loaded with which means.
“It’s important to attempt to restrict his affect within the recreation,” Deschamps mentioned. “The much less he receives the ball, the much less he can do. He’s a really good participant, technically very gifted, and he is aware of the right way to use his physique. He did not get a lot ball within the group stage however with only one likelihood he might be very harmful.”
Placing apart the necessity for each groups to unfold the load, Lewandowski’s assembly with Mbappé has the potential to intrigue. “They aren’t the identical age, or comparable in different respects,” Deschamps identified, whereas acknowledging the piquancy of the battle. He is aware of that denying Lewandowski oxygen ought to get half the job carried out for France; ought to Poland stifle Mbappé then, even contemplating France’s damage issues, there are additional sharp devices to make use of.
Lloris steered the dialog away from Mbappé and in the direction of his personal counterpart Wojciech Szczesny, who’s having an impressive match and created Poland’s solely spotlight in opposition to Argentina with a shocking penalty save from Lionel Messi. “He is enjoying an impressive match,” Lloris supplied, and the thought arose that if Szczesny could cause Messi ache, he can inflict Mbappé a repeat of final summer season’s distress too.
It’s subsequently logical that France have made a false begin on their purpose kicks in coaching. “If a penalty is properly taken, a goalkeeper has little likelihood of stopping it,” Lloris mentioned. “However there are goalkeepers who’re very robust on this scenario and generally they’ve little secrets and techniques that they do not prefer to share.”
France, who’ve England or Senegal of their sights within the quarter-finals, will hope that the thriller of that shock within the Romanian capital has been put behind them by the point the weekend is over.
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