What you need to know about the Polish team, the opponent of the Blues in the round of 16
By finishing first in Group D, the French team therefore inherited an a priori, less difficult opponent. The Blues have escaped Argentina and will face Poland on Sunday (4:00) for the round of 16 of the World Cup. Robert Lewandowski’s side haven’t seen this stage of the competition since the 1986 World Cup. Here’s what you need to know about the Bialo-Czervoni team, the Whites and the Reds.
Poland, third in the World Cup in 1974 and 1982
This is the ninth time that the Polish national team has participated in the World Cup, and we have to go back a long way to find a meaningful course. During the communist era, the Poles managed to win the World Cup twice, in 1974 in West Germany (1-0 victory against Brazil) and in 1982 in Spain (3-2 victory against France).
But Bialo-Chervoni’s (White and Red) World Cup performances have been rather lackluster. You have to go back to 1986 to trace their last 16 tour. If the Poles didn’t offer much in their last group game (a 2-0 loss against Argentina), the Blues will have to be wary of a squad full of talent, including the impressive Robert Lewandowski and Wojciech Szczesny.
Michniewicz, a former goalkeeper who became head coach in January 2022
Czeslaw Michniewicz (52) will lead the Polish national team, which is currently 26th in the FIFA ranking, from January 2022. He replaces Portuguese Paula Sousa, who suddenly left for Brazil to take over the reins of Flamengo. The former goalkeeper-coach had to win the play-off to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. The selection finished second in the group after England. THERE IS
Michniewicz’s team secured qualification by defeating Sweden 2-0 in the play-off final after the Russian team was eliminated following the invasion of Ukraine. Since then, his record has been mixed: he has certainly managed to secure a spot in the top sixteen in the Nations League, but has suffered three defeats along the way, including a heavy 6-1 defeat against Belgium.
Group stage course
Match 1: Poland-Mexico (0-0)
Match 2: Poland-Saudi Arabia (2:0 win, goals from Zielinski and Lewandowski)
3rd match: Poland-Argentina (2:0 loss)
In the opener, the Poles faced Mexico (0:0) and its veteran goalkeeper, captain and top scorer Robert Lewandowski, the author of the save against Guillermo Ochoa. The star striker of FC Barcelona was waiting for the next match against Saudi Arabia (2:0) to score his first goal in the World Cup at 34. His goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny also scored a great double from the penalty spot.
The 32-year-old Juventus Turin goalkeeper delayed the final against Argentina with another penalty saved against Lionel Messi, but lost in the second half (2-0 defeat). Poles secured second place in Group C ahead of Mexico on goal difference.
History against France
France and Poland have met 16 times since they first met in a friendly on January 22, 1939. The Blues won 4-0 at Parc des Princes. The last opponent was on June 9, 2011 when France beat Poland 1-0 in a friendly match in Warsaw with an own goal. France dominates with 8 wins, 5 draws and 4 losses.
Of the Blues currently in Qatar, only Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandan were present, but only on the bench. The two countries have met only once in a major competition: on July 10, 1982 in Alicante, Marius Tresor’s partners lost 3-2 in the World Cup third-place match.
Famous people in France
Two Poles in Ligue 1 are currently at the World Cup: Lensois winger Przemyslaw Frankowski and Clermont defender Mateusz Wieteska, opponents on the last day of the Championship before the Qatar tournament (2-1 win for Lens).
Poland also has OM striker Arkadiusz Milik, on loan at Juventus Turin this season, alongside France midfielder Adrien Rabiot. Two former L1 players are also among the group held in Qatar: ex-Monegasque defender Camille Glik, now at Benevento (Italy D2) and notably ex-Reims and Paris SG midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak, now at Al-Shabaab in Saudi Arabia. .
