CHRIS SUTTON: England and Harry Maguire can take advantage of Senegal’s nerves from the centre-back in their last-16 clash… the AFCON champions have conceded a goal from a delivery in EVERY game at the World Cup
By Chris Sutton for the Daily Mail
Posted: 22:30, December 2, 2022 | Updated: 00:31, December 3, 2022
Senegal have conceded a goal from a cross in every match they have played at this World Cup. That is surprising for a team that has 6ft 4in Pape Abou Cisse, 6ft 2in Abdou Diallo and 6ft 1in Kalidou Koulibaly in their central defensive ranks.
Against the Netherlands, there was a cross from Frenkie de Jong and a header from Cody Gakpo. That’s one thing. Against Qatar, Ismail Mohammad’s cross was headed in by Mohamed Muntari. That’s two.
Against Ecuador, there was a corner from Gonzalo Plata, a cross from Felix Torres and a goal from Moises Caicedo. That’s three.
Senegal have conceded a goal from a cross in all three of their World Cup matches so far
Moises Caicedo scores a corner for Ecuador in Senegal’s final Group A match
Against England, Phil Foden’s corner led to Harry Maguire’s thunderous header.
Well, that last one hasn’t happened yet. Call it wishful thinking! But those other three goals show England that Senegal can be vulnerable to balls in the box.
The Ecuadorian corner will be studied by the English army of analysts. Senegal marks zonally. All their defenders had designated areas and yet there was no accountability.
When the ball entered the center from Plata, no one moved but the Ecuador players. Torres headed over and thanks to Senegal putting Youssef Sabali at the front post and nobody at the back, Caicedo was there to score. easy.
Senegal’s defenders were incredibly static for the goal and it was easy for Caicedo to score
England should use Harry Maguire to target every corner they win on Sunday
England would have been delighted if Senegal had been so naive on Sunday. Maguire is built to win those headers, especially if opposition defenders are static, as they were in that Ecuador goal.
Chances are we’ll see him come in and score, just like he did against Sweden in the 2018 World Cup quarter-finals.
Every time England have a corner at the Al Beit Stadium, we know who the target will be and it will be interesting to see if Maguire is designated by Senegal as their own player to make his life more difficult. Leaving him alone would be a big risk.
Maguire can easily repeat his goal against Sweden in the 2028 World Cup quarter-finals
England’s use of the ‘love train’ at the 2018 World Cup was a huge success. This involved Gareth Southgate’s players lining up towards the back of the box before darting in different directions to attack crosses. This made it difficult for opposing man-markers to stick with certain players.
England have not been as clinical by their standards at this World Cup compared to last time when they scored nine goals from dead ball situations. Southgate and his coaching staff will be trying to figure out how to improve their performance.
We know Senegal are vulnerable from crosses in this tournament, so let’s see what England can do on Sunday.
Three key clashes
Kyle Walker vs. Ismaila Sarr
Wales barely tested Kyle Walker in his first start for club or country since October 2. It was a nice, uneventful return for the Manchester City right-back. But Ismaila Sarr shouldn’t be so kind. With his pace, the Watford winger could make things difficult for Walker, who will be hoping to keep his place ahead of Kieran Trippier.
Kyle Walker could be troubled by Ismaila Sarr if selected to start ahead of Kieran Trippier
Sarr (right) will not be as good as Wales was when he faced Walker on Sunday
Jude Bellingham vs Nampalis Mendy
Idrissa Gueye is penalized for Senegal. A blow that the loss of Everton’s defensive midfielder. Instead, talk in the Senegal camp is that Leicester’s Nampalis Mendy will replace Gueye and try to prevent Jude Bellingham from seeing the ball. USA won the midfield battle against England by limiting Bellingham. Can Senegal do the same?
Harry Kane vs Kalidou Koulibaly
Tottenham vs Chelsea. The last time Kane faced Koulibaly, or Edouard Mendy for that matter, he scored an injury-time equalizer at Stamford Bridge in August. Koulibaly is physical and likes to defend up close and personal, but Kane likes to drop deep and operate away from opposition defenders. It will be interesting to see who will win the battle.
It will be interesting to see who will win the battle between Harry Kane and Kalidou Koulibaly
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