France will start their World Cup last-16 clash as overwhelming favourites in Sunday’s round of 16 clash at the Al Thumama Stadium. But their opponents Poland cannot be just written off.

Even though they looked ordinary against Argentina in their last group-phase game and seemed content playing for a draw, they do have what it takes to stage an upset. Besides, in the knockout stage, anything is possible as one gross error too can prove to be very costly.

France will enter the contest with most of their regulars having recharged their batteries, but patience, more than energy, might be key against Poland. “They have experienced players.

“Obviously, Lewandowski is the standout player, one of the best strikers in the world,” said coach Didier Deschamps. “We should not underestimate them.”

Forward Kingsley Coman was equally cautious. “It’s a World Cup game, so anything is possible. Being the favourites doesn’t mean anything.”

Lewandowski, on his part, looked mostly pedestrian against Argentina the other night. Yet, most of France’s talk ahead of their last-16 clash has been about how Les Bleus will handle the Barcelona star. The defending champions are also well aware there is much more to the Poles than their ace striker.

Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who has already stopped two penalties, is also an asset for the Poles. Across his career, Szczesny has saved 26 of 87 penalties and it is safe to say that France will be desperate to avoid a shootout on Sunday.

“They’ve had to defend a lot in the group stage and they defended very well. Actually, they love it, but they’re not just a defensive team. Just look at who they have up front,” Deschamps said.

France have often struggled against compact sides who defend deep, such as Poland, but Deschamps has the tools at his disposal to crack a game wide open. While Kylian Mbappe, who already has seven World Cup goals before the age of 24, might find it hard to use his devastating pace against a packed defence, Ousmane Dembele could be France’s main threat.

The forward’s relentless dribbling, jinking one way before bursting past the other, could prove tough to handle for the Poles, who will also need to keep a close eye on Olivier Giroud in the box. Giroud, tied with Thierry Henry on 51 goals, needs one more to be France’s all-time top scorer.

The French defence has been far from perfect so far, with Raphale Varane looking below his best after a hamstring injury, and the Manchester United player will need to find top form as a mouthwatering duel with Lewandowski looms.

“The best way to defend against him (Lewandowski) is to make sure he does not get the ball,” Coman said.