Fans are fuming to see Ibrahima Konate’s exclusion from France’s starting XI for their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash against Poland today (December 4).
Didier Deschamps’ side qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament after finishing at the top of Group D. They will take on Group C runner-up Poland.
Both sides are coming into the clash on the back of a defeat.
Robert Lewandowski-led Poland were defeated 2-0 by Argentina in their final Group C clash. However, they managed to qualify due to having a superior goal difference than Mexico. Both teams earned four points in their first three games.
Les Bleus, meanwhile, suffered a shock 1-0 defeat against Tunisia in their final group game. With qualification for the knockout stages already secured, Deschamps decided to name a second-string lineup for the game.
One player who impressed during the game was Liverpool starlet Konate. He started alongside Raphael Varane on defense for the game.
However, Deschamps hasn’t named Konate in France’s lineup for the clash against Poland. Instead, he has chosen to start Varane and Dayot Upamecano.
Fans noted that Konate should have started in place of Varane for the game. They opined that Poland are a physical side and might exploit the absence of the Liverpool man.
Here are some of the reactions across Twitter after Deschamps didn’t name Konate in France’s first XI for the 2022 FIFA World Cup clash against Poland:
How is konate on the bench after that perfomance?
Where is Konaté?
| France XI vs Poland.
Tchouaméni 
Varane in the squad but but but but I was told Konaté was the ‘better player’
🤣
France XI vs Poland.
I can’t understand the omission of Konaté. Varane was evidently off it against Tunisia while Ibou was the only player to put in a reasonable performance of the starters. It’s crazy.
France XI vs Poland: Lloris – Koundé, Varane, Upamecano, T.Hernandez – Griezmann, Tchouaméni, Rabiot – Dembélé, Giroud, Mbappé.
Ibrahima Konate has been dropped to the bench for France’s clash against Poland today. 🤨
imagine dropping konaté after all his excellent performances. especially after the last one
Wait. KONATE IS ON THE BENCH ADTER THAT MOTM WPRTHY PERFORMANCE??
Konate not starting, Time for lewandowski to strik
Deschamps you clown. Why aren’t you playing Konate? He’s been good.
This Poland team is going to be physical.
France XI vs Poland: Lloris – Koundé, Varane, Upamecano, T.Hernandez – Griezmann, Tchouaméni, Rabiot – Dembélé, Giroud, Mbappé.
France coach Didier Deschamps heaped praise on Polish striker Robert Lewandowski ahead of their 2022 FIFA World Cup clash
Arguably, the lion’s share of work for France’s defense today will be to stop the attacking prowess of Polish striker Robert Lewandowski.
Didier Deschamps praised the talismanic forward ahead of the game as he said (via Barca Blaugranes):
“We must make sure to limit his influence. The fewer balls he has, the less dangerous he will be, Beyond his intelligence, his technical skill, he uses his body very well, even if he has not always had a lot of balls in his first three matches. But the slightest ball can be dangerous with him. We are not going to focus on him, but he is there to materialize everything that can be dangerous.”
The Barcelona hitman has found the back of the net once in the 2022 FIFA World Cup so far. He scored in Poland’s 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
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