« On aurait pu mener 2-0 » : La réaction de Pape Thiaw après la défaite des Lions
Senegal suffered a disappointing start to their 2026 World Cup campaign, losing 1-3 to France in East Rutherford. Despite an ambitious start, national coach Pape Thiaw is deeply disappointed, particularly by his players' lack of clinical finishing in the first half.
The Lions of Teranga put the French under pressure for the first 45 minutes, but failed to convert two clear chances in front of Mike Maignan's goal. In the immediate aftermath, the Senegalese coach offered his bitter analysis: "With great regret, because if you look at how the match unfolded, we could have been leading 2-0."
The rest of the match proved much more complicated for Senegal, punished by their opponents' clinical finishing after the break. "France were more efficient than us after the half, we have to congratulate them. We made mistakes on every chance they had. It all started with easy turnovers on our part," lamented Pape Thiaw.
When asked about a possible drop in his team's physical condition after the break, the coach dismissed the idea of individual fatigue. "All the players who played were fit. I don't want to single out any players; we were too passive as a team," he stated firmly. According to him, this lack of physicality made things much easier for the French players: "We should have been more aggressive to prevent the French from making certain passes."
The same observation applies to his central defense and the apparent difficulties of his captain, Kalidou Koulibaly, which the coach initially attributes to collective shortcomings beforehand. "If we lose the ball in our own half, it certainly puts the defense in a difficult situation... We need to work on tightening up our lines more, as we did well in the first half," he analyzed, while remaining optimistic for the rest of the competition: "Our physical condition isn't at its peak yet, but that will come as the tournament progresses."
Pape Thiaw also downplayed the tactical impact of Michael Olise's repositioning in the centre, preferring to praise the French player's individual talent: "I don't think it was this change that hurt us. But it's certain that Olise is an excellent player, when he is found between the lines and allowed to face the play, he causes problems."
Heading to Norway to bounce back
Despite the disappointment of this defeat, the Senegalese staff is already focused on regrouping. Their initial ambitions remain intact, and the Lions are clearly determined to redeem themselves in the next two matches. "We played this match to win it, I think that was evident, especially in the first half where we were very good. But we lacked efficiency, and in a World Cup, you have to be clinical; matches are decided by details," the coach reminded everyone.
In the privacy of the locker room, Pape Thiaw's message was focused on the future and the need for results. "My players are competitors; they had three matches and they have two left to get out of the group. Our next opponent is Norway, a tough team; it will be difficult, but we will prepare well," he concluded, determined to secure the six points still up for grabs.
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