Salernitana’s encounter against Udinese in Serie A unfolded an unsettling chapter as Boulaye Dia, the former Stade de Reims player, declined to enter the field less than 10 minutes from the match’s conclusion. In the aftermath, Salernitana’s coach, Fabio Liverani, addressed the situation in a post-match press conference, stating, “He made a choice that we will take into consideration from today on. I take note of it, the club too, I think. It’s a definitive choice. The problem is not for me, but for his teammates.”
This incident is not the first instance of tension between Dia and the club. Last summer, Boulaye Dia sought a move to Wolverhampton in the Premier League, only to face refusal from Salernitana.
Disappointed, Dia expressed his feelings to the club, leading to his temporary exclusion from the group in September. Despite subsequent reintegration, relations have evidently remained strained.
**Youssouf Sabaly’s Resurgence at Real Betis: Coach’s Admiration**
In contrast, Real Betis’ Youssouf Sabaly experienced a positive turn of events. After a period of extended absence, the Senegalese full-back made a notable return against Athletic Bilbao, contributing to a convincing 3-1 victory.
Manuel Pellegrini, Real Betis’ coach, expressed admiration for Sabaly’s performances during a press conference.
“I’m really delighted for him because he’s been very unlucky with injuries, which has disrupted his continuity. Every time he is on the field, he demonstrates his skills, which is impressive,” praised Pellegrini.
Notably, Sabaly, typically positioned as a right back, demonstrated versatility by playing the entire match as a left back against Athletic Bilbao. Pellegrini, despite the return of Juan Miranda, does not rule out the possibility of continuing with Sabaly in this position. ”
In France, he has already played on the left; he adapts without a problem to both sides,” added Pellegrini, acknowledging Sabaly’s familiarity with the left-back role from his time with the National Team.
These contrasting narratives highlight the intricate dynamics within football squads, where individual choices and coach-player relationships can significantly influence a player’s trajectory within a club.
