With just a few days to go before Senegal faces France, coach Pape Thiaw is pleased to see his squad gradually returning to their best form. In an intense preparation phase, filled with friendly matches and heavy training loads, the Senegalese coaching staff has noted an overall improvement in the physical condition and availability of several key players.
After the goalless draw (0-0) against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday in San Antonio, USA, the Senegalese coach was particularly reassuring about some players who raised concerns due to their physical state. Several key members of the national team, who were returning from injuries or had not yet regained their full intensity, were able to get a satisfactory amount of playing time according to the staff.
In this context, Pape Thiaw wanted to send a positive message about their progress. He emphasized that these players have taken an important step in their recovery and integration into the team. “They played, they are now operational,” the coach said, highlighting the progress made by his players, Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gana Gueye, after several days of work with the medical and technical staff.
This statement reflects a sense of relief within the technical staff, as the presence of these experienced players is considered essential for tackling high-level competition. Their gradual return to a normal competitive rhythm is a significant asset for the team’s defensive stability and overall balance.
Beyond individual cases, this collective improvement comes at a crucial phase in the Lions’ preparation. The Senegalese group is engaged in final tactical and physical adjustments before entering competition, still striving for optimal cohesion. Offensive and defensive automatisms are being worked on, while the staff emphasizes recovery, concentration, and effort management.
Recent results, including a loss to the United States followed by a draw against Saudi Arabia, have shown some limitations, particularly in finishing and maintaining game rhythm. However, the coach prefers a more nuanced view of these performances. According to him, these matches should primarily be seen as tests aimed at fine-tuning the final details before the official dates.
In this perspective, Pape Thiaw stresses the need not to overinterpret the results. The primary goal remains to prepare the entire group in the best possible conditions for kickoff. The technical staff continues to manage playing time and training loads carefully to avoid any physical overload or injury relapse.
As the clash against France approaches, the Senegalese management is focused on maintaining continuity in their work, gradually ramping up, and consolidating the team. The signals from recent training sessions and the return of some key players provide a reason for measured optimism, even if adjustments are still needed to reach the expected level of performance in a competition of this magnitude.
