France will be aiming to secure a comfortable victory against Poland in their final Euro 2024 group stage match. The match holds significance for France as they seek to finish at the top of their group. The game is expected to be a fascinating encounter with several interesting storylines to follow.
One key talking point is the introduction of drinks breaks during the match. The referee halted play for a short drinks break in the 28th minute, a first for the tournament. This decision was made due to the high temperatures in Dortmund, where the match is taking place.
Another storyline centers around the return of star forward Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe sustained a broken nose in France’s opening match against Austria and missed the subsequent draw against the Netherlands. Despite the injury, Mbappe was deemed fit to play against Poland, having recovered sufficiently.
Meanwhile, Poland has made a significant change in their lineup with goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny being benched for the match. Szczesny, who is a veteran of the Polish national team, has represented the country in four European Championships and two FIFA World Cups. However, the decision to bench him is tactical rather than injury-based. Poland coach Michal Probierz has opted for a change in goalkeeping strategy following their two losses in the tournament.
France has already secured a spot in the knockout stage after Albania’s loss to Spain. They have consistently demonstrated their strength in major tournaments, having qualified for the group stage of every EURO/World Cup since 2012. This match against Poland presents an opportunity for France to further showcase their dominance and make a statement as they progress into the knockout rounds.