Qatar 2022, Senegal-Holland: Boulaye Dia’s big chance

Senegal had to give up Mané

Today (5 p.m.) at Thumama Stadium in Doha, Senegal-Holland is being staged. African team coach Cissé has been forced to give up his best striker, namely Mané. Leading Senegal’s attack will be Dia.

Currently in the ranks of Salernitana, the 26-year-old center forward has had a high performance in this his first slice of the Serie A season. In 13 total matches, already six goals. Salernitana wants to redeem him from Villarreal (€20 million needed), not least because, should he do well at the World Cup, his future may lie elsewhere. Dia has a great chance to showcase his talent at Qatar 2022. After winning the African Cup of Nations (2021), he wants to make his mark at the World Cup as well. To date, he has scored three goals in 19 games with the Senegalese national team.

For the second edition in a row, no Italy at the final stage of the rainbow event. The failure to qualify, however, did not cost Roberto Mancini his job with whom, it should be remembered, the Azzurri triumphed in the European championships whose semifinals and finals were played in London’s legendary Wembley Stadium. Italy has won the World Cup four times, in 1934, 1938, 1982, with Enzo Bearzot at the helm, and in 2006, when the national team’s coach was Marcello Lippi, beating Raymond Domenech’s France in the final on penalties.