Cesc reveals ‘unpleasant‘ conversation with Senegalese coach

AFCON is getting closer and the national coaches are hurrying up to embrace their players as soon as possible in order to start the trainings and practice on tactical issues. FIFA‘s decision to allow clubs to release players later than agreed angered many national teams and gave the coaches headaches. The situation with Assane Diao is a bit different, but the young Senegalese was still in all Italian papers due to his AFCON trip.

Former Betis footballer, who represented Spain in U19 level before switching alliances currently plays for Como but was injured and missed almost seven months. Just as he was starting to get into form (played 45 minutes against Inter), he was invited to play for Senegal at AFON. And former Arsenal and Barcelona player Cesc Fabregas didn‘t like it.

"Regarding Assane Diao, I prefer not to elaborate too much on the subject. He was called up and I spoke to him after the match against Inter. He knows my opinion well. I also spoke personally with his national team coach. It wasn't a very pleasant conversation, to be honest, so I completely disassociate myself from this choice" revealed the Spaniard.

FALSE 10: Do they really respect African football?

But unlike Fabregas, Pape Thiaw was happy to welcome the young star and quickly replied to the Spaniard.

"If he's not happy, we, Senegal, are happy and proud. Assane Diao is doing great things at Como and they wanted to keep him, which I can understand. Personally, I spoke with Fabregas. He tried to convince me not to call up Assane, but I defend the interests of my country above all else. I explained to him that we are completely professional and that we had to manage Assane as best we could. The player himself clearly expressed his determination to come. So the problem is solved" said Thiaw to RTS.

SERIE A - ROUND 15

Friday

Lecce - Pisa 1-0 (0-0)

/Stulic 72/

Saturday

Torino - Cremonese 1-0 (1-0)

/Vlasic 27/

Parma - Lazio 0-1 (0-0)

/Noslin 82/

Atalanta - Cagliari 2-1 (1-0)

/Scamacca 11, 81 - Gaetano 75/

Sunday

AC Milan - Sassuolo 2-2 (1-1)

/Bartesaghi 34, 47 - Kone 13, Lauriente 77/

Fiorentina - Verona 1-2 (0-1)

/Nunez 69 (og) - Orban 42, 90+3/

Udinese - Napoli 1-0 (0-0)

/Ekkelenkamp 73/

Genoa - Inter 1-2 (0-2)

/Vitihna 68 - Bisseck 6, Martinez 38/

Bologna - Juventus 1-0 (0-0)

/Cabral 64/

Monday

22.45: (2.15) Roma (3.30) Como (3.50)

*** odds are subject to change ***