2022 World Cup I England – Senegal (Round of 8) Attention, This Senegal Speaks English

Twenty years ago, France kept no secrets from Senegal. Of Senegal’s 23-man squad for the 2002 World Cup, 20 played in France. Knowledge of the opponent was unrelated to Teranga’s Lions performance against the Blues, then world champions (0-1). This is the starting point of a historic journey to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Asia. Twenty years later, England would be wrong not to take into account the lessons of the past before playing in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup against Senegal.

Because from now on, the Senegalese have no secrets from her. Among the 26 components of the selection of Alio Ciss, who passed Birmingham and Portsmouth in his career as a player, there are no less than ten developments across the channel: goalkeepers Edouard Mendy (Chelsea) and Cheney Dieng (QPR), defender Kalido. Koulibaly (Chelsea), midfielders Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Nambalis Mendy (Leicester), Mamadou Loome (Reading), Sekoue Kouaide (Nottingham Forest), Pepe Modder Sarr (Tottenham), and forwards Iliman Ndiaye (Sheffield United) and Ismaila Sarr Watford).

The proportion of Senegalese players who played in France in 2002 was not high, but it was still significant. Almost 40% of the Terengganu Lions competing in this World Cup are based in England. For reference, there are twice as many Senegalese players playing in France (6) as those roaming English grounds: Alfred Komis (Rennes), Formos Mendy (Amiens), Ismail Jacobs and Crepin Diatta (Monaco), Babe Gueye and Bamba Dieng (Marseille). A radical change from 2002.

Difference between clubs and selection

Knowing your opponent is a weapon Senegal will want to use against England. “We’ve actually discussed it with some of the players, and there are some executives from our team that we talk to quite oftenIn the absence of Aliou Cissé, assistant coach Régis Bogaert confirmed in a press conference on Saturday. The knowledge of the players, they have. It is important to look at the difference between what England players do at club and selection. As we discussed, this allowed us to identify certain characteristics among others.”

Another reason for Gareth Southgate and his men to be wary of Senegal. They already had some. The 2021 African champions arrived in Qatar undeterred after winning the first continental trophy in their history. They managed to bounce back from the departure of their leader, Sadio Mane, another great luminary of English football who spent eight seasons at Southampton and then Liverpool in the Premier League. Now coming out of the group stage without someone wearing the colors of Bayern Munich speaks volumes about the character and collective resources of the Teranga Lions.

The England coach knows this all too well. His team’s position makes the encounter particularly tricky for the last Euro finalist, who is looking for a first international title since 1966.I saw Senegal play (in a friendly match) against Iran in ViennaHe said at a press conference on Friday. I took good care of them. Hereafter we will study their matches. We know quite a few players who play in the major leagues and in England. We know we will be favourites, we have to accept that, but we play a very dangerous team.

“The press already sees a quarter between France and England”

Exactly. Between dangerous and successful, Senegal are still struggling to overcome despite being crowned African champions. It is not a new trend that many players play in England and others in France, Spain or Italy. “African teams have players who shine at big clubs in Europe, this care is not there since today, they should have achieved this level of performance.Especially the former coach of South Africa, Philippe Drousier, said in an interview with AFP.. I want to say: it’s time. Africa is far behind in its progress chart“.

For this reason too, Lions of Terengganu will approach this round of 16 against England. and determined to devour everything in their path. Regardless of prey size. And what people think. “We saw what was said on the networks and othersAmiens defender Formose Mendy explained. The French press already sees a quarter between France and England. But we know how to build on our strengths. It is a source of motivation and the Senegalese team lifts itself up when it is underestimated. Whatever happens in this match, people will know that we are real lions and that we are sons of Senegal.

England has been warned. Despite having to make do without Mane and Gueye and the suspension, Senegal have many arguments to make a fresh disappointment for the three lions they know so well. “Beating England would be a huge momentRegis Bogaert confirmed. I imagine it will be the equivalent of the win against France in 2002. England are a top 5 team and to beat a team of this caliber is to show the progress we can make.. ” Times have changed since 2002. But the will to enter the legend is stronger than ever for the Lions of Teranga.