France manager Didier Deschamps says the World Cup holders must “respect what Poland do” before the two nations meet in the last 16 in Qatar on Sunday.
The 2018 winners are the first reigning champions to reach the knockout stage at a World Cup since Brazil in 2006.
They sealed qualification with a game to spare before a surprise 1-0 loss to Tunisia in their final group game.
“Today, even a great nation, if she is not ready, can have unpleasant situations,” Deschamps warned.
Poland finished ahead of Mexico on goal difference as they progressed from Group C as runners-up to Argentina, to whom they lost 2-0 in their final group fixture.
Discussing Czeslaw Michniewicz’s side, Deschamps added: “All the games are difficult, all the teams are good and prepared. The players all play in good leagues.
“This team has had to defend in the first three games, defend a lot and they defend very well. They love it.
“They have a hardcore of players with good experience. You have to respect what this team does, they deserve to be there.”
Michniewicz is hoping Poland, in the second round for the first time in 36 years, can improve service to star striker Robert Lewandowski after he was unable to have an influence in their last outing.
“We played difficult passes in easy situations, we didn’t create enough opportunities for Robert. Strikers like that, they need to be near the penalty box,” the Poland boss said.
“In order to take advantage of every team we need to bring the strikers to the right zone. You can’t normally score from your own half.”
