Qatar 2022: Poland could explore French vulnerable wing backs

France have been ravaged by injuries, and while Didier Deschamps remains blessed with quality and depth through the spine of his team, it is out wide where concerns lie.

Against Australia in their opening group match, Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard started at left and right back respectively. However, Hernandez sustained an injury after 13 minutes and was replaced by his brother, Theo. Pavard was then criticised by Deschamps, who questioned his “disposition”, and was dropped for Jules Koundé, more usually a centre back. In France’s final group game, the defeat by Tunisia, Axel Disasi of Monaco played at right back while Eduardo Camavinga, the Real Madrid midfielder, was on the left.

Instability and unfamiliarity are not qualities easily overcome. With so many changes at full back, Poland’s ever-tinkering manager, Czeslaw Michniewicz, may try to take the game to France on the wings. Poland’s ability to attack these spaces will hinge upon whether they can get the ball into Robert Lewandowski and ensure he is not isolated.

Poland seek to defend tightly and attack in moments rather than extended phases. In their opener against Mexico, Wojciech Szczesny attempted the most passes into Lewandowski; a similar approach against France would be pointless, given the aerial prowess of their centre backs.

However, with a team-mate who can contest in the air — such as Karol Swiderski — or win second balls and link up with him — like Arkadiusz Milik — Lewandowski would be able to spend more time attacking the box.

France’s wing pairing of Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé is the best in the world. Both players can spot opportunities in the tightest of cul-de-sacs, accelerating and moving at a blistering pace that disorients even the best of defenders. Keeping one tied down is a challenge enough; even when the ball is at the feet of Dembélé on the right, Mbappé will be darting inside on the opposite wing, in the blind spots of the defenders.

The Sampdoria left back Bartosz Bereszynski — an old-school defender, interested more in the rugged elements of the game — has made 2.86 interceptions and tackles and 3.57 clearances per game at this tournament. The 30-year-old can hold his own against nifty, technical players and while his right-footedness makes him an ideal match-up for the modern “inverted” winger, Dembélé is two-footed, and will challenge him running on the outside.

On the opposite flank, Mbappé will look to attack Aston Villa’s Matty Cash. Attacking and contributing upfield has always been Cash’s strength; he has made eight passes into the final third in Qatar compared with Bereszynski’s one, but Mbappé is a challenge unlike any other — this contest could define Sundayday’s game.

Poland are likely to defend deep and counterattack, leaving the ball and middle third to France. The excellent all-action Aurélien Tchouaméni — whose telescopic legs can dispossess even the shrewdest of dribblers — and Adrien Rabiot, form a highly effective double-pivot.

With Antoine Griezmann in midfield as a No 10, his task will be to receive the ball on the turn between the lines, and create two-on-one situations in the half-spaces to play through and open channels up to get Mbappé and Dembélé involved in the penalty area.

Piotr Zielinski, a key player for Napoli, has been peripheral so far, and may struggle with Tchouaméni and Rabiot around him. But if Poland are to get any joy in midfield and unlock Lewandowski’s potential, Zielinski getting on the ball and supporting the striker will be critical.

Poland’s defensive midfield pairing of Grzegorz Krychowiak and Krystian Bielik have been impressive, shielding the defence well. Their challenge will be to keep Griezmann out of the box, and funnel the ball wide, or force France into shooting from distance. Szczesny will not be bothered from range; he has been the standout goalkeeper. Data shows that the quality of shots he has faced is worth about six goals — according to shot placement — yet the Juventus goalkeeper has conceded only two.