EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – With Senegal in a difficult position in World Cup group play, coach Pape Thiau has not said how many changes he might make for Monday night’s game against Norway.
“Are we going to change things up a little bit? Well, we’ll see,” Thiau said through an interpreter at a news conference on Sunday.
Senegal struggled in the first half of Tuesday’s opening match against tournament favorites France. lose 3-1. Edouard Mendy allowed 3 goals on 8 shots in that match. Kylian Mbappé scores from long range Shortly after Senegal finally took the field in stoppage time.
Back-up goalkeeper Molly Diaw also accompanied Thiaw to the press conference, but ruled out playing, suggesting he could start in Mendy’s place.
With only Iraq remaining after Senegal played Norway in Group I, the Lions of Teranga are treating the second leg as if it were a must-win final.
“We’re in a very tough group. We knew this was going to happen,” Thiau said. “Obviously we lost the first game, but we have everything left to play. We can’t take this the wrong way.”
Including Erling Haaland
No matter who is in the net or on the field, Senegal’s biggest challenge will be slowing down high-scoring striker Erling Haaland, who scored two goals in one game. Iraq’s 4-1 rout In qualifying on Wednesday, he finished 16th, taking the lead in Europe.
“Yes, Haaland, but not just Haaland,” Diaw said through an interpreter. “Haaland can’t do anything on his own. He needs teammates, so it’s not a question of how to stop Haaland. It’s up to us to be ready for the game against Norway.”
Diaw echoed Thiaw’s sentiments, saying his plan was to neutralize Norway as a team. Of course, it starts with Haaland. Haaland scored 27 goals in 35 Premier League appearances for Manchester City last season, as well as 57 international goals.
“Haaland clearly needs no introduction,” Thiau said. “We have good defenders. We have very high-level defenders who have played in very high-level competitions and have met strikers of this level.”
Thiau says the issue, including the contract, has been resolved.
After months of reports that Thiau was coaching without a contract, he now says he has a contract. He declined to give a time frame, saying the details were confidential and the timing wasn’t ideal.
“It took too long,” Thiau said. “But it wasn’t really a money issue. It was more of a principle and respect issue, but that was resolved.”
Thiau also admitted that the players had some issues, but said the issues have been resolved. Amid reports that Senegal are suffering from food problems due to the lack of a team chef at the World Cup, Diaw was asked what his frustration was, and he said the problem was being addressed within the team.
“I don’t think there’s any need to come here to dry your dirty laundry,” Diaw said. “We have a group of players, professional players. We are here to represent the country of Senegal and that is what we are doing here. And (Monday night) we are trying to do the best we can. And even with all the other problems and scandals, nothing will stop us from focusing on the common goal.”
Norway can advance with victory
Haaland and his teammates will advance to the round of 32 with a win. This will be Norway’s fourth appearance at the World Cup, and first since 1998.
This is the farthest Norway has come from reaching the last 16 of this tournament. They are considered slight favorites against Senegal.
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
