For Bouna Sarr and Youssouf Sabaly, the level of performance in selection is indisputable. But following the player’s return from Real Betis, the manager faces a tough choice for his right-back position.
There are only a few hours left for the National Team of Senegal to start playing all their cards once morest Egypt for a qualification for the 2022 World Cup. As this duel between Pharaohs and Lions approaches, the coach Aliou Cissé undoubtedly seems to have thorns on his head as to the name of the player who must occupy the position of right side back from this Friday, at the Cairo International Stadium, then Tuesday at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium.
African champion, Senegal is keen to confirm its status and this means winning a ticket to Qatar in November 2022. For this reason, Aliou Cissé, who has chosen a list of 26 players, defines the men who occupy various positions on the pitch. Two very important internationals are on the coach’s list: Bouna Sarr and Youssouf Sabaly. Players who will have to fight for a single position.
Bouna Sarr betrayed by his playing time?
Until then, since his arrival in October 2021, few people might contest a tenure for Bouna Sarr. The 30-year-old right-back has had a prodigious start to his international career with the Lions. Installed by Aliou Cissé, he chained the meetings by having played each time the entirety of minutes during his eleven selections. It is almost impossible to question his qualities or his importance in the Lions game.
However, the former Olympique de Marseille or FC Metz player is facing starving playing time at Bayern Munich. Yes, it is obvious that this inactivity of Bouna Sarr in Club does not cause any concern for Aliou Cissé since the player has always been able to maintain good physical condition. Moreover, he is one of those players who wants to leave his life on the pitch every time he wears the national jersey.
But the advantage for Youssouf Sabaly?
His unavailability for the last African Cup of Nations due to an injury contracted at the start of the season had left several supporters of the National Team of Senegal with a bitter taste. Even if in the end, his absence was not really felt for the simple and good reason because Bouna Sarr, much more than Ibrahima Mbaye, had somehow insured in Cameroon. But now Youssouf Sabaly has returned.
Absent from La Tanière since November 2020, the Real Betis player has found a cruising speed which has allowed him to make an indisputable comeback. Except that for him, it shouldn’t be at the left-back position when out of 17 of his 21 selections for the National Team, he has played in this left-back position. Here too, the reason is simple: Saliou Ciss now seems unstoppable following his excellent CAN.
Thus, Youssouf Sabaly might take advantage of more playing time at Club to pass Bouna Sarr. Like the latter, Sabaly is a player who raises the bar every time he plays for the Lions. Moreover, the physical form of the former Bordeaux player, compared to that of Bouna Sarr, might be key to decide between two internationals who, we are sure, are ready to give everything to qualify Senegal for the next World Cup.
Finally, the option of seeing the two play together during this double confrontation should not be ruled out. The coach, who has already taken advantage of the versatility of Bouna Sarr as a right midfielder, might look to align this one in a much more attacking position, especially as a winger, to better densify his right side. Whatever may be the choice of Aliou Cissé between Youssouf Sabaly and Bouna Sarr, it is very unlikely to lack insurance at the right-back position.
wiwsport.com
