Solbakken and Kenta are sitting in some comfortable chairs in the lobby of the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, North Carolina the day before Norway – Senegal. Coffee is being drunk, and the atmosphere is light and pleasant. The first match went exactly as hoped. A solid victory over Iraq, and that means we are on our way. At the same time, France beat Senegal in the second match in the group. Recipe-wise, and completely in line with a plan to advance as number two. The plans for the key match are made over coffee from small cups, and the belief in the player squad is absolutely present. If you win this one, you are already through before the last match against France. A dream situation. Getting to meet France in the third match, completely without pressure, must be an optimal way forward in the tournament.
But back to the drawing board, because the match against Senegal will not be an easy task. Sadio Mane is still a powerhouse, Illman Ndiaye from Everton is a footstep, while guys like Sarr and Jackson can cause problems for most. This will be more difficult than the match against Iraq, and also all the more important. Yes, there are three points at stake here too, but at the same time you can sense that this is the ticket to the knockout rounds. The match against Senegal is the key for Norway.
Senegal and the AFCON scandal
Before we write much more about Senegal, we almost have to say a few words about what happened in the African Championship earlier this year. Senegal and Morocco met in the final in Rabat, a match that is remembered for everything other than the football itself. After several special refereeing decisions, things go completely wrong for Senegal's players towards the end of the match when Morocco is awarded a penalty kick. Senegal's players waltz off the field and go to the locker room in protest. Out on the pitch, madness reigns, and several fans storm the field, which subsequently leads to several prison sentences and hefty fines.
Back in the locker room, Senegal is buzzing, and returns to the mat. Morocco finally gets their penalty kick, misses, perhaps also due to the circumstances, and the match continues. As if this were not enough, Senegal finds its way to the net just before the final whistle, and thus wins the African Championship. Wild cheers among the red, yellow and green, while the host nation despairs. Afterwards, however, Senegal is stripped of the title, and it is awarded to Morocco anyway. Senegal has brought the sport into disrepute, and that cannot be accepted. The last word has certainly not been said in this matter, and protests have already been put on the table. Of importance as of today, we at least know that it will not have any consequences for the nations' participation in the World Cup. Both are fielding their best men, so we just have to see how they will behave when overtime eventually comes, and they are under…
What can we expect from Senegal?
At the World Cup, a completely different kind of tidiness is expected. All credit to the Confederation of African Football for not accepting such behavior, but during the World Cup, any consequences will probably only be even more severe. We'll call it a day for now, and focus on the talented players who will, after all, be on the opposite side of the field for Norway on June 23rd.
Because there is a lot to take away here. Senegal is number 14 in the FIFA ranking (FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking), and with that is considered to be a better team than Norway. Of course, you can discuss this ranking far and wide, who you meet in these matches, and the quality of the parameters themselves, but the fact is that Senegal is a difficult opponent. Sadio Mane is perhaps the one best known to the Norwegian audience. The Liverpool legend has moved on via Bayern to Saudi, where he plays alongside Ronaldo. Recently crowned league champion, and still the owner of speed, breakthrough desire and quick shots. This man is of course on Solbakken's block, and a winger who will require maximum concentration from Norway's backs. Ndiaye will also have to get that. If you sleep in the hour here, Everton's lightning wing is over. If Ndiaye slides in behind the last redoubt, he will not stop until he gets a shot against Nyland. We've seen what this man can do in the Premier League and he will surely want to show off on the biggest stage.
Another attacking piece that deserves praise is Ismaïla Sarr. Crystal Palace have started to win titles, and it is largely thanks to this man. As champions of the Conference League, Sarr crosses the pond full of confidence, and will be a central figure in Senegal's march towards the knockout rounds. The Norwegian players of course know well who these guys are, but that does not necessarily mean that they have what it takes to stem them. Senegal has a lot of gunpowder ahead of them. We have not even mentioned Nicolas Jackson. The striker plays second fiddle to Kane in Bayern on a daily basis, and is living the happy days of his life as league champion in Germany. Playing time varies of course with Kane always available, but the goal flair is there. If you put Mane, Ndiaye, Sarr and Jackson together, you have quite a package to control. This will not be easy for the Norwegian Vikings.
How do we imagine the match between Norway and Senegal?
If we play a little further with the outlined scenario where Norway has beaten Iraq in the opening match, while Senegal has lost to France, then Norway will be in a very advantageous situation here. Senegal must win, while Norway strictly must avoid losing. If we continue to assume that Senegal will be able to beat Iraq in its last match, and we will lose to France. Then it is goal difference that will decide between Norway and Senegal whether this match should end in a draw. Which it can of course easily do.
A match that no one can lose can be exciting, so exciting! Be careful at first, before you let go more and more and go for it. If Norway has beaten Iraq emphatically, you can to a certain extent live with a draw. But the risk of failure is great. Senegal can of course play off the already defeated Iraq in the last match, and thus Norway will be on its way home before you know it. We therefore imagine fully concentrated Norwegian players, tight defensive lines, and by all means, not allowing Senegal to run in behind. I'm afraid this will be terribly exciting, and far closer than you would like.
What results do we envision?
Considering that this is match number two, we are dependent on having the results of the first match. We are still playing with an imaginary scenario, and predict a tight and violent affair. Lots of duels, lots of running, and constant attempts to put balls in the back. Neither of these two teams have their best cards in the back of the field, and thus we can get goals both ways. That guys like Haaland and Sarr will show themselves here is almost guaranteed. Quality players stick their heads out when they are needed most, so we can only hope that the man with the ponytail is a notch sharper this night Norwegian time.
Predictions: Norway – Senegal: 2-2
You can watch the match on NRK, with kick-off at 02:00 Norwegian time, June 23rd.
