Smiling, comfy and in just right form, Rennes striker Boulaye Dia took a while forward in their Europa League conflict with Juventus to talk to Flashscore about a number of subjects.
The Senegalese participant touched on his time at Lazio, returning to Ligue 1, and Juve‘s begin to the season.
Sunday’s 4-3 defeat away to Paris FC was once just a little loopy, wasn’t it? There have been numerous twists and turns, and also you misplaced it overdue on.
“Sure, there have been numerous swings within the sport. It is entertaining, however profitable is healthier. We misplaced, so it hurts just a little.”
You suspect it from the bench prior to approaching against the top. How do you maintain that mentally?
” the sport can alternate from one second to the following. If you end up at the bench, you apply so much and spot how issues are unfolding. That manner, whilst you come on, you’ve got a transparent thought of what you’ll exploit. Then, as soon as you are at the pitch, the whole lot occurs temporarily: a penalty, a bad, no penalty, a disallowed function… That is soccer; this stuff occur.”
Do you suppose any such chaotic defeat can assist wake you up forward of the following fit in opposition to Juve?
“Sure and no, since the contexts are other. Within the league, they overtook us with that win. Given how the fit opened up, we can have have shyed away from dropping, simply as we can have received it. The Europa League and the league are other competitions.”
Juventus appear to be in just a little of a disaster after Sunday’s defeat, do not they?
“I have no idea whether or not you’ll name it a disaster. How again and again have they misplaced this season?”
Two times.
“If so, you’ll’t discuss a disaster. They usually misplaced to Lazio, who stay an ideal group. In the event that they misplaced that day to a more potent facet, then speaking a few disaster… But even so, it does not fear us; it is their downside.”
Do you continue to observe Lazio’s effects? What do you’re making in their begin to the season?
“Sure, I all the time observe their effects. I watch their suits on every occasion I will be able to. I nonetheless have some nice buddies there, I care about everybody and I am satisfied after they win.”
Did you are expecting them to be this top within the desk, now stage on issues with Inter on the most sensible?
“No, no person anticipated that during the ones phrases, however we knew what the group have been able to. When Gennaro Gattuso arrived along with his group of workers and the spirit that defines him, given how issues had long past final season, we in point of fact could not have executed a lot worse, even mentally. It was once a renewal.
“After the pre-season we had, we knew we might toughen. Particularly after the Coppa Italia defeat, a 2-0 loss to Mantova, which served as a warning sign. It is no wonder to me: I do know what the trainer introduced and the way I left the crowd.”
So that you have been assured with Gattuso in price this season?
“Sure, indubitably. He is appearing it to this point; what he is doing is very good.”
Issues had long past badly for him in his earlier jobs, particularly with the nationwide group. And but…
“He isn’t a magician; there’s merely numerous paintings in the back of it. Folks judged him on his earlier reports, however each membership and each scenario has its personal fact. He got here with a undertaking to perform, and to this point he is doing it extraordinarily smartly.”
Do you continue to talk steadily together with your former Lazio teammates?
“Now not each day, however now and again with a few of them, akin to Reda (Belahyane) and (Tijjani) Noslin.”
How did you adapt tactically at Lazio, switching between taking part in as a No. 10 and as a centre-forward?
“After I arrived, Baroni instantly advised me he was once able to play with two strikers and knew I may function in the back of the ahead. His most well-liked machine was once 4-3-3, however in any case, in lots of suits that season, Taty Castellanos and I performed in combination up entrance.”
You loved a just right spell at Salernitana. You additionally scored that well-known function in opposition to Napoli that behind schedule their Scudetto celebrations in 2023…
“For me, it was once simply some other function. They have been going to turn into champions anyway; it was once just a subject of days. It isn’t as though we had received the league. It was once extra in regards to the context, the fanatics and the competition. Prior to going onto the pitch, I may see the celebrations within the stadium and idea: “It could be great to attain a function and silence everybody.” That was once all.”
It was once nonetheless an enormous party in Salerno whilst you returned from the fit, virtually like profitable a trophy.
“Sure, in fact! We noticed the fanatics after we returned to Salerno. They welcomed us with flares and celebrated. It was once an ideal second for them, so we have been satisfied too.”
Was once that function one of the vital essential of your occupation?
“No. Finally, I have scored on the International Cup and in a Champions League semi-final. There were extra essential objectives for me, particularly as a result of we in the long run did not win in Naples. I take note, for instance, a decisive last-minute function in opposition to Hellas Verona to win the fit. For Salerno, spoiling their competitors’ celebrations was once particular, however individually it wasn’t some of the maximum essential objectives.”
What recollections do you’ve got of your time in Salerno, whilst you scored 16 objectives in a single season?
“Stunning recollections. We had a just right group and a few just right coaches too. First Davide Nicola, then Paulo Sousa, underneath whom we performed in point of fact smartly. His taste of play suited me completely. I used to be in a just right position and filled with self assurance. When you’re feeling just right someplace, it displays at the pitch.”
Talking of Davide Nicola, he brings such a lot power from the bench. He has simply overwhelmed Napoli on his debut with Venezia…
“Sure, he is a trainer who brings monumental power. If you end up with him, you need to offer the whole lot as a result of he merits it. He is the actual deal.”
You might be again in France after 5 years. What are your impressions?
“I think excellent. I am satisfied to go back to the rustic the place I grew up, and to a league that I had ignored. Whilst you go away for 4 or 5 years, you watch the league increase from afar and need to come again and spot that evolution up shut. The groups are higher now.”
There may be robust pageant for puts in assault at Rennes, specifically with Esteban Lepaul, who completed as the highest scorer final season. Is {that a} supply of motivation?
“Sure, completely. The purpose was once to go back to Ligue 1 and sign up for a just right undertaking after my spell in Italy. Rennes have a very good group with nice gamers, akin to Lepaul. It is a great point to compete with him and, above all, to play along him. We’re going to push each and every different to toughen.”
You may have already performed in opposition to Juve however have by no means scored in opposition to them. Is it a dream of yours?
“It isn’t a dream, however it is true that I have scored in opposition to many giant golf equipment in Italy and no longer but in opposition to Juventus. We’re going to attempt to put that proper quickly!”
What did you assert on your fellow countryman Sadio Mane after your Villarreal facet misplaced the 2022 Champions League semi-final to Liverpool?
“I do not take note precisely, however he congratulated me on our run. We have been 2-0 up at half-time and I requested him whether or not they were frightened. They already had the enjoy of the 2019 last. So I simply advised him to move and win it, since that they had eradicated us.”
What’s the major distinction in bodily preparation between Spain, Italy and France?
“In Spain, the whole lot revolves across the ball: drills, ownership and rondos. There may be little or no natural athletic paintings. In Italy, there’s a lot more focal point on energy and athletic coaching, and rather less on operating with the ball. In France, it is a mixture of the 2: numerous paintings with the ball, but additionally a considerable athletic workload.”
Morocco have been declared champions after an enchantment, regardless of Senegal profitable the 2026 Africa Cup of International locations at the pitch. Do you continue to really feel like champions?
“Sure, indisputably.”
How did you enjoy that second?
“It was once an exquisite last, a in point of fact just right fit between two of the most efficient African groups at the present time. It was once made up our minds in additional time. We lifted the trophy and went house to rejoice. It was once crucial second.”
Do you all the time deal with a distinct reference to Senegal?
“Sure, in fact. I’m going there incessantly now with the nationwide group, however I additionally steadily discuss with on vacation. It is my nation of beginning, so the relationship is all the time there.”