Tottenham midfielder Pape Sarr fails to produce the goods in a new role for Senegal vs Burkino Faso

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pape Matar Sarr was in international action for Senegal on Friday evening.

The 21-year-old and his Senegal teammates kicked off their 2025 Africa Cup Of Nations qualifying campaign against Burkina Faso on Friday, and were held to an extremely frustrating 1-1 draw at home.

Star forward Sadio Mane had given Senegal the lead 16 minutes into the game, and that goal from their skipper appeared to have been enough to secure all three points for the hosts. However, in the 90+5 added minutes, late substitute Ousseni Bouda equalised for Burkina Faso from a set-piece. This left Senegal extremely frustrated, settling for a share of the spoils as a result.

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Senegal boss Aliou Cisse used Pape Sarr in a wide role on the right rather than his usual central midfield position in a 4-4-2 formation, and the Tottenham star endured a struggling evening against Burkina Faso. The 21-year-old, who has lately become an important cog in Cisse’s side and was voted the young African footballer of the year for 2022, failed to influence the game as a wide midfielder.

The Thiaroye-born talent couldn’t impose himself in the game and dominate Burkina Faso’s midfield with his energy, intensity and passing ability. This new role on the wide right didn’t suit Sarr, as he only touched the ball 30 times across 68 minutes on the pitch. He only won two out of eight duels, managed just one successful cross out of two, committed a foul once and last possession seven times. (stats courtesy: SofaScore)

This poor display comes after the central midfielder was hooked at half-time in Spurs’ 2-1 away defeat to Newcastle United last weekend. Sarr was booked in the first half and Big Ange wanted to avoid him from getting sent off later, so he had made adjustments to his team during the interval against the Magpies.

Sarr blossomed in Spurs’ midfield last season and became an essential part of the team’s set-up, scoring three goals and registering as many assists in 34 Premier League appearances. The Senegalese completely transformed himself under Big Ange’s guidance, improving his passing ability and decision-making off the ball. He is the glue that binds Spurs’ midfield together, allowing James Maddison to thrive in a free role.

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Having not enjoyed an ideal start to the new season, coupled with a poor display albeit in a different role for Senegal in the 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso, Sarr will be raring to hit top form and produce the goods in his nation’s next game against Burundi on Monday.