France boss Didier Deschamps wary of Robert Lewandowski ahead of World Cup round-of-16 clash
- Seb Sternik
- 3 December 2022
France are aware of the threat posed by Robert Lewandowski, but they won’t focus on the striker according to manager Didier Deschamps.
Les Bleus will continue the defence of their world title against Poland in the round-of-16 on Sunday.
France, who lost their final group game against Tunisia, won their group to book their spot in the knockout stages.
Poland, on the other hand, stuttered through the groups, producing just four shots on target throughout their three games.
Despite their lack of attacking intent, Deschamps remains wary of the threat posed by star striker Lewandowski.
Speaking in his press conference, the France head coach said: "We must make sure to limit his influence. The fewer balls he has, the less dangerous he will be.
"Beyond his intelligence, his technical skill, he uses his body very well, even if he has not always had a lot of balls in his first three matches.
"But the slightest ball can be dangerous with him. We are not going to focus on him, but he is there to materialize everything that can be dangerous."
Poland have been arguably the most underwhelming side of all the 16 nations to have progressed to the knockout stages.
However, this is the first time since 1986 that the Poles have made it past the group stages and they arrive with little to lose.
"This team has had to defend a lot over its three group matches, but it defends very well and it loves it," said Deschamps. "But it shouldn't be limited to just that.
"It's a competitive team, with a core of players who have good international experience, with more than 100 selections or not far, Szczesny, Glik, Lewandowski, Krychowiak, Zielinski, Grosicki... And young people who are at the height.
"You have to respect what this team did. My players know that, in self-sacrifice, there is a guarantor, but they also have a lot of offensive arguments."
