The pressure is mounting for the Lions. After its big victory (4-1) against Burundi, Burkina Faso takes a serious option in the race for first place in group L. With 7 pts and a goal difference of +5, the Stallions are putting Senegal under pressure , who is now three lengths behind. Against Malawi, a simple success will not be enough: a real offensive festival is expected to make up for this delay and stay in the race.
“Win wala win, draw Yallah téré”. This punchline from Dip Doundou Guiss is the watchword for the Lions, a few hours before facing Malawi. Second in group L with 4 pts, Sadio Mané’s gang must win, preferably with a large score, this evening at the Me Abdoulaye Wade stadium. The stakes are at the level of first place in this group, which is played between the Stallions and the Lions.
Yesterday, Thursday, October 10, the Burkinabé easily won against Burundi with a score of 4 goals to 1 during their third outing in these qualifiers. A victory which consolidates their first place in the group with a goal difference of +5. This means that Senegal must score five goals without conceding if they want to regain first place at the end of this 3rd day of the qualifiers.
Beyond the battle for supremacy in this group, this match promises to be the first big test for the interim coach, Pape Thiaw, appointed after the departure of Aliou Cissé. The winner of the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2023) is playing for his short and medium-term future at the head of the national team during his two confrontations against Malawi.
Even if a revolution is not possible in such a short time, milestones of new development are expected in a talented group in search of renewal.
Offensive excess, placed attacks, short passes…: The Thiaw paw in action
At a press conference, former ASC coach Niary Tally did not want to give the slightest clue about the tactics he intends to put in place to extinguish the Flames. Asked about the continuity compared to his predecessor, particularly with regard to the playing system and the very controversial 3-5-2, Pape Thiaw responded with an anthology sentence: “In football, all systems have won and lost. ” Deep.
To get an idea of what the Dakarois could concoct, at least in terms of entertainment, it would be better to turn to one of the first two Lions training sessions open to the press (a rare occurrence ). It should be noted that the session on Tuesday October 8 was very long (1 hour 30 minutes) and intense. After physical and technical work workshops, collective attack-versus-defense and attack-defense oppositions were organized. This exercise highlighted Pape Thiaw’s desire to break the barrier to low blocks. Placed attacks, with successions of short passes accompanied by overflows on the sides, were favored. It is particularly important to highlight the offensive involvement of the full-backs in this exercise, like El Hadj Malick Diouf, Ismail Jakobs and Abdou Aziz Ndiaye, who carried out several overruns and crosses to find the attackers. A layout reminiscent of 3-5-3…
Still with the aim of bringing the offensive surplus against the low blocks, we notice the advanced position of the midfielders, who were instructed to shoot on sight as soon as they found themselves in an ideal position.
In terms of ball circulation, as said previously, short passes seem to be favored, as do defensive ball releases, where cleanliness must always be essential, even under pressure.
La composition probable
In view of all these elements, the formula that Pape Thiaw could adopt should be offensive. A 4-2-3-1 seems to hold the rope. As goalkeeper, Seny Dieng will start. In central defense, the pair Kalidou Koulibaly (right)-Moussa Niakhaté (left) should be aligned. For the left-back position, security could be favored with the tenure of Ismail Jakobs, while Formose Mendy should be aligned on the right. Just in front of the defense, Lamine Camara, who should take care of set pieces, and Pape Guèye have a good chance of starting. In attack, resolutely forward players should be lined up, with a daring quartet composed of Sadio Mané on the left, Ismaila Sarr on the right, Nicolas Jackson up front and Boulaye Dia behind the center forward, with the possibility of swapping or to line up according to the phases of play.
