Patrick Vieira embraces pressure as Senegal target higher standards

Senegal coach Patrick Vieira says he welcomes the pressure from supporters demanding that the national team show greater ambition in every international match.

The Lions of Teranga returned to action on Sunday with a 1-0 win over Comoros in a friendly at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

The match comes after Senegal’s opening two games in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where Vieira’s side collected four points from two difficult away fixtures.

Senegal began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Mozambique before edging Ethiopia 1-0 in their second match.

Vieira, who took charge of the team ahead of the qualifiers, said the attitude of his players and their commitment in recent days had given him confidence.

“When I see the players’ attitude, the work they’ve put in and the difficulties we’ve faced, I think we’re on the right track,” Vieira said, according to Wiw Sport.

He acknowledged the high expectations surrounding the national team and said the players and coaching staff were determined to meet them.

“The pressure from the public is to be ambitious. It’s about having the desire to see the Senegalese national team reach the highest level possible,” he said.

“We’re professionals, so we know what the public expects. We’ll do everything we can to meet those expectations.”

Vieira said Senegal must continue to improve their organisation and tactical approach as they prepare for their upcoming challenges.

“We have to keep working. We need to be demanding, organised and have a game plan. We’re putting all of that in place. When you work hard, success comes naturally,” he added.

The former Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder also highlighted the passion surrounding the national team, joking that Senegal has “22 million coaches” because of the country’s strong interest in football.

“We are ambitious. I am an ambitious coach; I have ambitious players. We also have an ambitious country,” Vieira said.

“Senegal’s strength, which is perhaps also a weakness, is that there are 22 million coaches. It’s all about passion.

“There are 22 million people who want to see Senegal reach the highest level possible.”

Vieira believes the team can compete at the highest level but admitted there are still areas that need improvement.

“From a points perspective, taking four points from two very difficult away matches is a very positive result,” he said.

“But we are aware that there are areas for improvement in our performance.”

Vieira, who took charge of the Lions of Teranga recently, says maintaining high standards must be a daily requirement for everyone involved with the national team.

“High standards are part of being at the highest level; it’s a daily requirement,” Vieira said.

“I demand high standards from the players, both in terms of their behaviour on and off the field.

“It’s the same for me and the entire staff. When you have the opportunity to be part of the Senegalese national team, you have to be competitive.”

The former France midfielder also acknowledged that small details can determine the outcome of matches and believes Senegal still have areas to improve.

“We all know that a victory or a defeat comes down to details,” he added. “There are areas for improvement in the matches we’ve played. We’re going to try to improve them to be stronger as a team.”

Vieira also used Senegal’s friendly against Comoros as an opportunity to assess players who have had limited game time.

“This last match will be a friendly, but it’s an important match for me and the staff because we need to learn lessons to improve and also have the opportunity to see some players who haven’t had the chance to play until now,” he said.