Thiaw: Beating France Would Be No Shock

Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw says beating France on this night’s match in a Group I encounter is not going to be a ‘shocker’, because the West African nation has the gamers able to doing so.

This would be the second assembly between the 2 sides, with the Teranga Lions able to reignite their 2002 reminiscences after they shocked Les Bleus 1-0 within the Korea-Japan co-hosted version.

Talking in a pre-match convention, Thiaw states that the staff’s observe file in each the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) speaks volumes about their capabilities to beat any staff.

He added that he doesn’t imagine in shock outcomes, as all groups have labored onerous to earn a spot on the event.

“Wouldn’t it be a shock if Senegal had been to beat France? For me, no. As a result of we’ve got world-class gamers on this staff. We’ve certified for the final three World Cups in a row. In latest editions of the AFCON, we’ve reached three finals out of 4. So, for me, it wouldn’t be a shock,” Thiaw mentioned.

Thiaw additionally urged a one-match targeted method, including that the Teranga Lions are going into the match with the intention to gather most factors.

“I understand how onerous my staff works. We take issues one match at a time. We’re going to play very troublesome matches towards superb groups, particularly contemplating the standard of the groups in our group. This can be a World Cup, and I imagine each staff right here has earned its place. In Football, I don’t like speaking about surprises. Groups have labored onerous to be right here, and we’re going to play each match with the intention of successful it,” he defined.

In the meantime, Didier Deschamps mentioned that the 2022 finalists are going out for a constructive begin, stating, “It’s vital, essential, as a result of it’s the primary match, however that’s true for each staff within the competitors. After that, no, it’s not decisive, as a result of there are nonetheless two extra matches to play.”

He added, “Even statistically, the final world champion misplaced its opening match. That didn’t cease them from changing into world champions. However ideally, beginning with a win in a four-team group is the absolute best situation. That’s all the time the target when approaching the primary match.”

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