Dortmund: France look set to reach the last 16 of Euro 2024, but they will be hoping Kylian Mbappe can return and match his top-scoring record when they face Poland in their final group game on Tuesday.
France, one of the favorites coming into the tournament, has collected four points from two games in Group D but conceded only one goal, which came through the Austrian defender Maximilian Wober’s own net.
It followed France’s 1-0 win over Austria in their opening match in Duesseldorf, and a 0-0 draw with the Netherlands in Leipzig on Friday, in Mbappe’s absence.
The new Real Madrid signing did not play a role against the Netherlands, suffering a broken nose in the clash with Austria.
He will have to wear a nose mask when he returns to action, but he trained at the French team’s headquarters in Paderborn on Sunday and his team-mates are hoping to lead the captain against the Poles.
“As for the mask, I think he’s getting used to it. Of course he won’t wear it, but if you ask the doctor, I think he’ll say there’s no other way.
“But it doesn’t change anything for him. We know he’ll bring a lot to the team when he’s on the field.”
Mbappé’s cross was headed in by Woeber for France’s only goal at the Euros so far and remains coach Didier Deschamps’ biggest attacking threat.
Marcus Thuram led the way against the Netherlands but has only scored twice in 22 games for his country.
Antoine Griezmann has found the net just twice in his last 30 caps, while Ousmane Dembele’s goal for France in the last three years came against Gibraltar.
Kingsley Coman continues to improve his fitness after missing the end of the season with Bayern Munich due to injury, and Randal Kolo Muani begins a tough campaign in Mbappe’s shadow at Paris Saint-Germain.
“It’s disappointing, but there’s nothing to worry about,” Griezmann said of the missed chances after the Netherlands game.
The defense and midfield did a good job, we left a little for the opposition, but we need to improve and be more lethal in attack.
That defensive tenacity is important and can go a long way even if the goals aren’t flowing from the other end.
Central pairing Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba impressed in front of goalkeeper Mike Maignan, while N’Golo Kante impressed in midfield on his return to the international scene after two years out.
“It’s important to notice how solid we are defensively, because that’s important when you’re trying to win a title,” Chukameni said.
“Obviously we need to score to win the game. It will make things a little bit easier, but we have no doubts about that.
“The key is to create opportunities, so we need to start creating some.”
France need a draw to reach the last 16 against Poland, who have been eliminated after two defeats in their first two games.
If Austria doesn’t beat the Netherlands, it won’t even lose.
However, the 2022 World Cup winners will have to improve on the Netherlands’ result against Austria, or at least win by a bigger margin.
Where they finish in the group will not change too much in terms of their last-16 opponents, but it may be more influential in terms of potential ties in the quarter-finals and beyond.
Veteran Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, 35, is hoping to start after returning from injury as a substitute for Austria.
