Senegal v Algeria friendly: the reaction from coaches, players, a pundit and the press

Algeria, who beat Senegal in the final of the AFCON 2019, have once again got the better of Senegal, inflicting their first defeat at the new Stade Abdoulaye Wade on Tuesday 12 September (1-0) through a goal from Fares Chaibi. The defeat also ends a home unbeaten run dating back to 2012.

In the head-to-head record, it was Senegal's 14th defeat in 24 meetings with the Algerians and their 6th successive defeat. Some are ironically saying that Algeria are definitely Senegal's bête noire.

Reaction from coaches Cissé and Belmadi

Back to the game itself: the coaches of both sides have assessed Tuesday's match. Aliou Cissé, in comments reported by the national daily Le Soleil, said: "I am satisfied with the content tactically, with the way we played out from the back, and with the commitment too. We needed to be more efficient and more ruthless in both boxes, that is to say in defence and in attack. […] We could easily have ended up with a (3-1) in our favour, because we had enough chances to score. We also lacked intensity in our play."

Djamel Belmadi's reading of the game is different, given how he felt about it. He thinks Senegal's chances were few and far between. "All the players really stuck to the game plan and the tactical set-up. Technical and tactical discipline was there throughout the match. […] We almost conceded in a few rare moments when we were a little disorganised. […] During this match we didn't just defend. We gave as good as we got."

On the lessons from the game, Aliou Cissé said: "It is always a strong signal, a warning for all of us. It will remind us that nothing can be taken for granted." He added: "We will have to put right our finishing by being more ruthless in the attacking areas."

Read more on the same subject: AFCON 2023 (Q): what to take from the qualifiers

Ferdinand Coly's view

In the daily L'Observateur, the former combative defender of the Lions saw a good performance from the Lions of Teranga. "Despite this defeat, I think it was more than an encouraging game, because in terms of the content, it's true we were wasteful in front of goal, but it's really reassuring."

The players' analysis (Senegal v Algeria)

Sadio Mané, the leader of the Senegalese side, put the defeat down to a lack of efficiency. "We created a lot of chances but we weren't clinical enough. We played well and we were the better side, especially in the first half." Idrissa Gana also pointed to the missed chances. But he also admitted that the goal conceded came from a marking error.

On the Algerian side, goalkeeper Anthony Mandrea, who made 7 saves, speaking in the mixed zone, said he was first of all happy with the win. "We knew how to be opportunistic," he went on, which is a quality in modern football.

La Gazette du Fennec, which acknowledges a sharper Senegal, singled out two notable performances among Mahrez's team-mates: "Youcef Atal and Rayan Ait Nouri, tasked with containing the respective threats of Sadio Mané and Iliman Ndiaye, fully carried out their job. There is no denying that going forward the two players can change the course of a match on their own, but we expected a little more from them defensively against such twisting, darting wingers."

Lamine Camara shows personality on his first outing

"Young Lamine Camara's introduction was fantastic, because at 19 years old, coming on in a game like this shows he has confidence," said Ferdinand Coly. In 20 minutes, the player showed more quality than most of the Senegalese players. The qualities he is developing have long been missing from Senegal: composure, passing accuracy and, above all, willingness to take the initiative. He was the standout of the match. Fans and press alike unanimously acknowledge his technical contribution in this game. Some team-mates congratulated him on his performance, notably Idrissa Gana Gueye, who encouraged him to keep going down the path he has started on.

Senegal 🇸🇳 had not lost at home since 2012, that is 11 years.

Algeria ended that unbeaten run tonight. 🇩🇿🔓 pic.twitter.com/kQeRUbWaYg

— 🏆 Actu Foot Afrique (@ActuFootAfrique) September 12, 2023