Alain Giresse Expresses Frustration After Senegal’s Narrow Defeat to Tunisia
Senegal’s head coach Alain Giresse was candid in his post-match interview following his side’s heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Tunisia in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The defeat, which came in the final moments of the match, left Giresse bitter and frustrated, as he believed the result didn’t reflect the performance on the pitch.
“It is a cruel and unfair result, because over the two matches against Tunisia, the final result does not reflect the reality on the ground,” said the French coach, highlighting his team’s strong showing despite the setback.
Giresse acknowledged the weight of the loss, admitting that the scoreline was a bitter pill to swallow. “Based on the score and the manner of the game, we are inevitably left with regret. It is simply a bitter defeat. And indeed, that is how we should describe it as far as we are concerned,” he explained.
Despite the tough loss, the coach emphasized the missed opportunity for Senegal to seize control of the match when they had the chance. “Our team should have taken the advantage when it had the chance because we are never safe from what ultimately happened,” Giresse reflected, acknowledging the fine margins that can decide matches.
Looking forward, Giresse urged his players to focus on the bigger picture and not be consumed by the disappointment. “The most important thing now is to heal the wounds that are big for everyone,” he said. “But first place being anecdotal, we must fight to get the points necessary to qualify.”
The Senegalese coach, aware of the harsh realities of football, reminded everyone that results are ultimately determined by the ability to score goals, and merit isn’t always rewarded. “Football has realities, and we know that a match is only won by scoring goals. Merit has not been rewarded either, so we must put actions into practice.”
With the road to qualification still within reach, Giresse’s focus will be on rallying his players to regroup and ensure they finish the campaign on a high note, securing the points needed to guarantee their spot in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
