DOHA, Qatar (AP) — France, the reigning World Cup champions, has been warned by coach Didier Deschamps to not underestimate Poland and star Robert Lewandowski within the knockout spherical Sunday.Les Blues breezed via the group stage and clinched a spot within the spherical of 16 with a sport to spare, which allowed Deschamps to relaxation his stars in France’s meaningless remaining first spherical sport. 9 substitutes began within the 1-0 loss to Tunisia, and Adrien Rabiot, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Antonie Griezmann all got here off the bench late within the sport.France, with contemporary legs, is the overwhelming favourite to beat Poland and is the primary defending World Cup champion to succeed in the spherical of 16 since Brazil in 2006. France is 5-0 within the first knockout spherical for the reason that stage was launched to the World Cup in 1986.4 years earlier, Poland tied its World Cup-best third-place end with a 3-2 victory over … France. However Poland, which is within the knockout spherical for the primary time in 36 years, has not crushed France since a win in a pleasant 51 days after that victory.Poland has three losses and 4 attracts within the seven conferences since, the final match in 2011.As a result of it’s been 11 years for the reason that two groups final performed, Deschamps stated France should take Poland severely.“It’s not a staff we’re used to assembly. They’ve skilled gamers,” the France coach stated. “If there may be one identify to face out, it’s Lewandowski, he’s the most effective strikers on the planet. But it surely’s not simply him, it’s a staff that has good group, athletic presence. We’ve three observers right here who’re following them intently. We can have all the small print. Don’t underestimate this staff.”Poland has had a powerful match behind Wojciech Szczesny, the Juventus goalkeeper who saved penalties in opposition to Saudi Arabia and Argentina. His second save was in opposition to none aside from Argentina nice Lionel Messi and his 18 saves this match are greater than some other goalkeeper.Lewandowksi believes the important thing to beating France is thru preparation and, frankly, taking part in higher than Poland did in its 2-0 loss to Argentina. Poland additionally drew 0-0 with Mexico and beat Saudi Arabia 2-0.“Reaching the spherical of 16 is a superb achievement for us. It’ll be troublesome in opposition to France, we’ll want to stay centered,” Lewandowski stated. “I do know that it wasn’t our greatest efficiency (in opposition to Argentina), but when we put together higher, if we will work on enhancing what didn’t work, and if we give our all, we’ll undoubtedly have an opportunity.”ENGLAND-SENEGALEngland takes an unbeaten report in seven matches in opposition to African nations into its sport in opposition to Senegal.Regardless of no head-to-head matches, there’s some familiarity with Senegal: 10 of the gamers play membership soccer in England, six of them within the Premier League. Senegal ahead Sadio Mane of Bayern Munich is out with damage.“Senegal are a very robust, athletic staff, with some actually good particular person gamers,” England midfielder Declan Rice stated. “They’re a very good staff. It’s the primary time we’ve performed them since I’ve been within the set-up and we all know it’s going to be a troublesome check.”England has gained 5 of its seven earlier spherical of 16 matches, together with a 2018 victory over Colombia on penalties. Senegal reached the spherical of 16 as soon as beforehand, a win over Sweden in 2002, however its match ended within the quarterfinals with a loss to Turkey.However the African groups have performed nicely this World Cup and Senegal believes it will possibly proceed its run on this match.“The message is a powerful one,” Senegal assistant coach Regis Bogaert stated. “We’ve seen Cameroon can beat Brazil and Tunisia can beat France so we all know Senegal can beat England. That’s what we’re aiming for. That’s an essential message.”Senegal coach Aliou Cisse missed Saturday’s pre-match information convention due to sickness, and turned Friday’s coaching session over to his assistants. He plans to be on the sideline at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday.England was a semifinalist in 2018 and is seeking to attain the quarterfinals in consecutive World Cup tournaments for the primary time since 2002 and 2006.“It’s the knockout levels and we wish to win. In case you don’t win, you go residence, however that’s not what we’re aiming for. We wish to get to the tip of the match,” Rice stated. “We’re constructing nicely and we’re in a pleasant place, and we’re prepared for no matter comes.”___AP World Cup protection: https://Fifanews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport
World Cup Viewer’s Information: Rested France faces Poland
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