#CAN2017 Quarter Finals — Tactical Match-ups (1)
Senegal vs Cameroon
Cameroon’s shape has stayed constant through the tournament, but Aliou Cisse has used two different systems. Against Tunisia in the opening, and Algeria in the final group game, his configuration in midfield was 1–2, with a sole holder and two ahead. Against Zimbabwe, it was 2–1, with Gueye and Kouyate forming a solid platform and Henri Saivet coming into the side as an extra forward option.
Considering the profile of the opposition, there is a good chance he goes with the former against Cameroon: Gueye as the deepest midfielder, with Cheikhou Kouyate and Papa Alioune Ndiaye slightly advanced either side.
I think the matching up against Cameroon’s 4–2–3–1 will lead to a real battle in midfield. The Indomitable Lions are short of real individual quality in this zone, and Hugo Broos still doesn’t know his best team, so a scrappy game will suit them just fine.
Senegal though should have the edge thanks Mane’s roaming brief — he will enter the midfield zone and destabilize Cameroon’s man-marking scheme with his speed on the turn — as well as the ability of their centre-backs (Koulibaly especially) to distribute incisively.
Broos will need to be brave to get something out of this. His defence line takes a relatively high starting position, and he must resist the temptation to drop it a couple of metres. As I pointed out here, it is imperative to get right on Senegal. Also, Ambroise Oyongo has looked one of Cameroon’s brighter players; get Clinton N’Jie back in, and that tandem can test Lamine Gassama defensively down the left flank.
Tunisia vs Burkina Faso
In my eyes, the least interesting quarter final of the lot in a tactical sense.
Tunisia are a bit of a surprise, with their renewed willingness to seize the initiative in games a huge departure of the dark days of five at the back and reliance on set-pieces. Burkina Faso are an odd team: they have no glaring weakness, but also no apparent strengths.
The real point of curiosity will come from who Paulo Duarte decides to field upfront. He started the first game with Bertrand Traore, but the youngster was disappointing, it has to be said. Banou Diawara, who had a hand in their equaliser against Cameroon, then came into the side. Prejuce Nakoulma is also an option.
Bertrand though scored against Guinea-Bissau, and it will be interesting to see him start here. Aymen Abdennour is a ticking time bomb, and tends to dive in when taken out of his comfort zone or if isolated. Set-pieces gained in this fashion are probably Burkina Faso’s best bet; Tunisia struggled badly at defending them against Algeria, and Alain Traore has very good technique.
Tunisia’s lack of punch upfront will probably make this game more tense that it needs to be. Their blow-out against hapless Zimbabwe has added an artificial sheen to their goal numbers. Still, their midfield pairing of Ferjani Sassi and Mohamed Amine Ben Amor is possibly the most complementary in the competition, so for long spells, expect Tunisia to dominate the ball.
