The Senegalese coach of Loto-Popo FC shared his perspective on the 3-4-3 formation as an alternative system for the Lions of Teranga at the Africa Cup of Nations, also addressing Sadio Mané’s role as a false nine.
Pape Thiaw made this clear after the resounding victory against Kenya: “We can’t go into a competition with only one system of play.” Therefore, Senegal will do everything in its power to reclaim the African title. The 3-4-3 formation is one of Pape Thiaw’s preferred systems for tackling the tactical challenges he will face.
Sharing the national team coach’s opinion, Cheikh Gueye also emphasized that the most important aspect is the flow of the game.
“I would have preferred to play with a back four and use three forwards in attack. A sort of hybrid system. The full-backs become wing-backs, and one of the target men drops into the center to form a back three. This allows the target men to get into the byline and score. It’s a system that allows the players at the back to get forward…” he stated.
Regarding the repositioning of Sadio Mané as a false nine or center-forward, Cheikh Gueye doesn’t seem enthusiastic. He prefers to use Sadio Mané in his natural position, allowing the striker to draw the central defenders.
“We need to play a regular center-forward whenever possible. We have Habib Diallo, Boulaye, and Nicolas who can play in that position. I think we saw the difference when Nicolas Jackson came on. Now, if we don’t have a center-forward available, we can play Sadio in that position.”
Wiwsport.com
