When is it? How can you watch it? What are the possible line-ups? All you need to know about the UEFA EURO 2024 Group D match between France and Poland.
France and Poland meet to conclude their UEFA EURO 2024 Group D campaigns on Tuesday 25 June.
France vs Poland at a glance
When: Tuesday 25 June (18:00 CET kick-off)
Where: BVB Stadion Dortmund
What: UEFA EURO 2024 Group D Matchday 3
What do you need to know?
France remains eight matches unbeaten in EURO group stages under coach Didier Deschamps (W4 D4) in total and is yet to concede a goal in Germany after a 1-0 win over Austria and 0-0 draw with the Netherlands. One of their star players so far has been midfielder N’Golo Kanté, who amazingly has still never lost a match in regulation time at a major international finals, his run of 17 games (W12 D5) a record for a European player. “It’s looking good for what’s to come,” the 33-year-old said of his side’s campaign to date.
Poland are unable to progress to the round of 16 after losing to the Netherlands and Austria, but that certainly won’t stop them from giving it their best against Les Bleus. “We can maybe play more aggressively against France and it is an opportunity to grow,” said coach Michał Probierz, looking on the positive side. Poland may have their work cut out to get a result, though: they have not beaten France in their last eight games including friendlies (D4 L4), and their last competitive victory against them came in the 1982 World Cup third-place play-off.
Possible line-ups
France: Maignan; Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Dembélé, Kanté, Tchouaméni, Rabiot; Griezmann, Thuram
Misses next match if booked: Dembélé, Mbappé
Poland: Skorupski; Bednarek, Dawidowicz, Kiwior; Frankowski, Slisz, Moder, Zieliński, Zalewski; Urbański, Lewandowski
Misses next match if booked: Lewandowski, Moder, Slisz, Szczęsny
Form guide
France:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): DWDWWL
Poland:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): LLWWWW
Expert predictions
Alex Clementson, France reporter
Much has been made of France’s profligacy in front of goal since the 0-0 stalemate with the Dutch, but the noises coming out of the camp suggest that there’s no need for panic. With Kylian Mbappé’s condition a continued theme of discussion, Deschamps will want his side to prove they can overcome seemingly lesser opposition without their talismanic captain. The defensive resolve is there, and with a little refinery, their fearsome front line could soon click into action. When it does, this team will prove a formidable proposition.
Piotr Koźmiński, Poland reporter
Poland has nothing to lose. It looks likely that Michał Probierz will ring the changes in terms of both personnel and style and will look to adopt the more attacking approach deployed against the Netherlands on Matchday 1. There is a determination not to leave the tournament without a point, but, regardless, it will be a special evening for Robert Lewandowski, returning to the stadium where he played his club football for four seasons.
What the coaches say
Didier Deschamps, France coach: “We’ve always got the required amount of respect for our opponent. I’m sure we’ll be facing a side who will be doing their best to win. This is the highest level of football, so we’re not expecting this Poland side to take their foot off the gas.”
Michał Probierz, Poland coach: “It is true that we have no chance of qualifying, but I had no problem with players’ motivation ahead of this final game. They worked very hard and I hope we will put in a good performance. Of course, in general, we are disappointed but I still think we will bring some good memories home from this tournament.”
