France vs Poland live updates: Euro 2024 match team news ...
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There is no doubting Kylian Mbappe’s star qualities or Aurelien Tchouameni’s all-round skill set, but the key player for this France side is surely Antoine Griezmann.
The Atletico Madrid forward has played across the front line throughout his international career, scoring 44 goals for France since his debut 10 years ago.
His switch to a No 8 role in 2022 enhanced his importance to this side. From a deeper position, Griezmann can make late runs into the box to attack crosses or find team-mates with accurate passes in the final third.
In addition, Griezmann is aware of his positioning when France are defending in a 4-4-2 mid-block, while having a defensive impact across the pitch with his well-timed sliding tackles.
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After sacking Fernando Santos, Portugal’s Euro 2016-winning coach, last September following three defeats in six matches during eight months in charge, Poland decided to promote their under-21s coach, Michal Probierz, to the top job.
Under Probierz, the senior side have maintained a back-three shape which moves to a 5-3-2 when they are defending in the middle third or deeper.
Aerially, it’s hard to get the better of towering centre-backs, Jan Bednarek and Jakub Kiwior, who have featured regularly alongside a third defender in the heart of the defence.
Crosses from Nicola Zalewski, pictured, and Przemysław Frankowski are Poland’s main threat in the final third, with left wing-back Zalewski able to cross with both feet.
This ambidexterity is a useful tool, because he can dribble with his right foot and cross with the left before the opposing defender reacts.
France haven’t moved away from the approach that guided them to the 2022 World Cup final, where they lost against Argentina on penalties. After shifting to a back four on the eve of that tournament, Deschamps has continued with the shape and Antoine Griezmann playing in a midfield three.
France’s main attacking threat comes from wide areas, where the focus is on finding Mbappe and Dembele in one-vs-one situations.
But the wingers also look to combine with advancing full-backs, especially left-sided Theo Hernandez, who regularly occupies a higher position than Kounde at right-back. To balance Hernandez’s forward surges, Rabiot maintains a deeper position in midfield alongside Tchouameni.
Off the ball, France’s defensive shape moves to a lopsided 4-4-2 with the right-winger dropping next to the flattened midfield line. This way, Deschamps frees Mbappe of any defensive responsibilities and keeps him as a threat in transition.
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And welcome along.
I'm currently nursing a cup of freshly ground coffee, so all is well with the world.
It's great to have you with us.
Stick around for all the build-up, previews, team news, line-ups latest, stats, quotes, debates and much more.
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Well, in this group, the tough-looking Group D, France play Poland, covered by this live blog, and group leaders Netherlands play Austria. Both matches take place at the same time, 5pm BST/12pm ET.
Then, in England's group, Group C, Gareth Southgate's men face Slovenia and Serbia play Denmark, also at the same time, 8pm BST, 9pm local time, 3pm ET and 12pm PT.
Four group-stage-deciding major-tournament matches in one evening, Jeremy? FOUR?! That's insane.
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Here's how you can tune in to the action, depending on where you are in the world.
UK: BBC One, BBC Sport, BBC iPlayer.
US: FOX.
France: TF1 France.
Poland: TVP.
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The picturesque BVB Stadion Dortmund, as it is known officially in UEFA competitions, and the Westfalenstadion or Signal Iduna Park, as it is known otherwise.
Opened: 1974. Capacity: 66,099 for international matches. Home to: Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, the 'Yellow Wall' and one of the most lively atmospheres in European football.
Though that might have some competition with tonight's crowd...
The match kicks off at 6pm local time, which is 5pm BST for those in the UK, 12pm/noon ET and 9am PT for those in the US.
Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening to you, wherever you are in the world.
Tonight, there are four European Championship matches taking place as the group stage draws to a close, with several top teams set to decide their fate.
Here, we'll be covering tournament favourites France vs Poland.
Let's dive in, shall we?
