Adrien Rabiot has warned France against falling into the trap of complacency before their World Cup Round of 32 match against Sweden, stressing that knockout football leaves no room for assumptions.
The French midfielder pointed to the painful Euro 2020 exit against Switzerland as a lesson that remains alive within the squad, reminding players that any drop in focus can end a campaign in a single match.
France enter the tie as one of the tournament favourites after a perfect group stage, but they know Sweden have attacking quality and can threaten through space, counters and set pieces.
Rabiot's message fits the tone of the French camp, which wants to preserve its attacking strength while accepting that defensive adjustments may be required deeper in the tournament.
The message is clear: France must respect Sweden as seriously as any group opponent and avoid acting as if qualification is secured before the match is played.