Senegal snatched a dramatic victory Qatar with Boulaye Dia, Famara Diedhiou and Bamba Dieng getting the goals for the West Africans.
Ahead of Senegal’s second group game, no African country had managed to win a game at the mundial thus making Senegal the first country to win a game at the ongoing World Cup.
Here are three things we learned from the game.
Two – man strike force benefits Senegal
Rather than use a mobile Boulaye Dia as the focal point in attack, Aliou Cisse instead deployed Alanyaspor striker Famara Diedhiou alongside Dia in a 4-4-2 formation.
While some may have expected Dia to be the most advanced striker, he instead looked to drop deep and leave Diedhiou as the furthest man forward with Ismaila Sarr and Krepin Diatta making runs behind the strike pair as and when required.
Dia was often moved into midfield in search of possession in a bid to help spread the play. With the space vacated by Sarr and Diatta, and their markers dragged out of position, Dia had the chance to either pick a teammate or go for goal himself and was fortunate to register his name on the score sheet with the other attackers replicating same.
Senegal had to win at all cost
In a competition that had all African representatives failing to win after the first round of games, Africa needed to stake a claim and Senegal just did that. The Lions of Terranga were the third ranked team in the group behind Netherlands and Ecuador.
Having lost their opening game to Netherlands, Cisse’s side were put in a lot of effort ensure they record their first victory and that of Africa to cushion their chances of advancing from the group.
It is only a matter of time until Sanchez exit the dugout
Not only were the tactics wrong, but as has been the case since in their recent games. Felix Sanchez looked bereft of any inspiration.
The players, as talented as they are, aren’t responding to his ideas, and it must have been a tough watch for many Qataris to watch their team play so bad.
Speculation that there will be a managerial change will only increase, and it is becoming harder by the day to make a case for Sanchez.
Would it be too late? Well, the table would suggest not. A new manager would, at the very least, spark something that could get the team back to winning ways.
