Smiling, relaxed and in fine condition, Rennes striker Boulaye Dia took a while forward of 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 start to the season.
Sunday’s 4-3 defeat away to Paris FC was a bit loopy, wasn’t it? There had been plenty of twists and turns, and you misplaced it late on.
“Yes, there were a lot of swings in the game. It’s entertaining, but winning is better. We lost, so it hurts a bit.”
You watched it from the bench earlier than coming on in the direction of the top. How do you take care of that mentally?
“You know the game can change from one moment to the next. When you’re on the bench, you observe a lot and see how things are unfolding. That way, when you come on, you have a clear idea of what you can exploit. Then, once you’re on the pitch, everything happens quickly: a penalty, a foul, no penalty, a disallowed goal… That’s football; these things happen.”
Do you suppose such a chaotic defeat may also help wake you up forward of the following match towards Juve?
“Yes and no, because the contexts are different. In the league, they overtook us with that win. Given how the match unfolded, we could have avoided losing, just as we could have won it. The Europa League and the league are different competitions.”
Juventus appear to be in a little bit of a disaster after Sunday’s defeat, do not they?
“I don’t know whether you can call it a crisis. How many times have they lost this season?”
Twice.
“In that case, you can’t talk about a crisis. And they lost to Lazio, who remain a great team. If they lost that day to a stronger side, then talking about a crisis… Besides, it doesn’t concern us; it’s their problem.”
Do you continue to comply with Lazio’s outcomes? What do you make of their start to the season?
“Yes, I always follow their results. I watch their matches whenever I can. I still have some great friends there, I care about everyone and I’m happy when they win.”
Did you count on them to be this excessive within the desk, now stage on factors with Inter at the highest?
“No, nobody expected that in those terms, but we knew what the team were capable of. When Gennaro Gattuso arrived with his staff and the spirit that defines him, given how things had gone last season, we really couldn’t have done much worse, even mentally. It was a renewal.
“After the pre-season we had, we knew we might enhance. Especially after the Coppa Italia defeat, a 2-0 loss to Mantova, which served as a wake-up name. It’s no shock to me: I do know what the coach introduced and how I left the group.”
So you were confident with Gattuso in charge this season?
“Yes, positively. He’s displaying it to date; what he is doing is superb.”
Things had gone badly for him in his previous jobs, especially with the national team. And yet…
“He’s not a magician; there may be merely plenty of work behind it. People judged him on his earlier experiences, however each membership and each state of affairs has its personal actuality. He got here with a mission to perform, and to date he is doing it extraordinarily properly.”
Do you still speak regularly with your former Lazio teammates?
“Not every single day, however on occasion with a few of them, equivalent to Reda (Belahyane) and (Tijjani) Noslin.”
How did you adapt tactically at Lazio, switching between playing as a No. 10 and as a centre-forward?
“When I arrived, Baroni instantly instructed me he was able to play with two strikers and knew I might function behind the ahead. His most popular system was 4-3-3, however ultimately, in lots of matches that season, Taty Castellanos and I performed collectively up entrance.”
You loved an excellent spell at Salernitana. You additionally scored that well-known purpose towards Napoli that delayed their Scudetto celebrations in 2023…
“For me, it was simply one other purpose. They had been going to change into champions anyway; it was solely a matter of days. It’s not as if we had gained the league. It was extra in regards to the context, the followers and the rivalry. Before going onto the pitch, I might see the celebrations within the stadium and thought: “It would be nice to score a goal and silence everyone.” That was all.”
It was still a huge celebration in Salerno when you returned from the match, almost like winning a trophy.
“Yes, in fact! We noticed the followers once we returned to Salerno. They welcomed us with flares and celebrated. It was an incredible second for them, so we had been completely satisfied too.”
Was that goal one of the most important of your career?
“No. After all, I’ve scored at the World Cup and in a Champions League semi-closing. There have been extra essential objectives for me, particularly as a result of we in the end did not win in Naples. I bear in mind, for instance, a decisive final-minute purpose towards Hellas Verona to win the match. For Salerno, spoiling their rivals’ celebrations was particular, however personally it wasn’t among the many most essential objectives.”
What memories do you have of your time in Salerno, when you scored 16 goals in one season?
“Beautiful recollections. We had an excellent workforce and some good coaches too. First Davide Nicola, then Paulo Sousa, below whom we performed rather well. His fashion of play suited me completely. I used to be in an excellent place and stuffed with confidence. When you’re feeling good someplace, it exhibits on the pitch.”
Speaking of Davide Nicola, he brings a lot power from the bench. He has simply crushed Napoli on his debut with Venezia…
“Yes, he is a coach who brings huge power. When you are with him, you wish to give every little thing as a result of he deserves it. He’s the actual deal.”
You’re back in France after five years. What are your impressions?
“I really feel superb. I’m completely satisfied to return to the nation the place I grew up, and to a league that I had missed. When you permit for 4 or 5 years, you watch the league develop from afar and wish to come again and see that evolution up shut. The groups are higher now.”
There is robust competitors for locations in assault at Rennes, notably with Esteban Lepaul, who completed as the highest scorer final season. Is {that a} supply of motivation?
“Yes, completely. The purpose was to return to Ligue 1 and be a part of an excellent venture after my spell in Italy. Rennes have a wonderful workforce with nice gamers, equivalent to Lepaul. It’s an incredible factor to compete with him and, above all, to play alongside him. We’ll push one another to enhance.”
You’ve already played against Juve but have never scored against them. Is it a dream of yours?
“It’s not a dream, nevertheless it’s true that I’ve scored towards many massive golf equipment in Italy and not but towards Juventus. We’ll attempt to put that proper quickly!”
What did you say to your fellow countryman Sadio Mane after your Villarreal aspect misplaced the 2022 Champions League semi-closing to Liverpool?
“I do not bear in mind precisely, however he congratulated me on our run. We had been 2-0 up at half-time and I requested him whether or not they had been nervous. They already had the expertise of the 2019 closing. So I simply instructed him to go and win it, since they’d eradicated us.”
What is the main difference in physical preparation between Spain, Italy and France?
“In Spain, every little thing revolves across the ball: drills, possession and rondos. There may be very little pure athletic work. In Italy, there may be way more focus on power and athletic coaching, and rather less on working with the ball. In France, it is a mixture of the 2: loads of work with the ball, but additionally a considerable athletic workload.”
Morocco were declared champions after an appeal, despite Senegal winning the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations on the pitch. Do you still feel like champions?
“Yes, definitely.”
How did you experience that moment?
“It was a beautiful closing, a extremely good match between two of the very best African groups at the second. It was determined in further time. We lifted the trophy and went house to rejoice. It was an essential second.”
Do you always maintain a special connection with Senegal?
“Yes, in fact. I’m going there usually now with the nationwide workforce, however I additionally often go to on vacation. It’s my nation of origin, so the connection is at all times there.”
