Cesc Fabregas Hits Out At National Team Coach After Assane Diao Como Injury
The youngster limped off in tears during the 1-0 defeat by Roma on Monday night.
Cesc Fabregas could be set for another ‘unpleasant’ conversation with the Senegal national team manager after Assane Diao’s injury setback during Como’s defeat by Roma.
Assane Diao Could Miss Africa Cup Of Nations
Diao limped off in the 35th minute of the game on Monday night, having suffered a flexor issue after shooting.
The 20-year-old forward was in tears as he was aided off the pitch by medical staff. He will be assessed on Tuesday, with his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations hanging in the balance.
He had been set to depart for the tournament on Wednesday, ahead of Senegal’s first match against Botswana on December 23.
Diao was spotted leaving the Stadio Olimpico on crutches and was unable to put weight on his damaged leg.
Ahead of the game, Como were forced to seek permission to select the youngster, but were given the green light.
Diao missed the first six Serie A fixtures this season after damaging his metatarsal in training, and only made his return against Parma in late October. He also picked up a hamstring problem last month.
Cesc Fabregas ‘Sorry’ For Assane Diao
Post-match, Fabregas, who is a Barcelona target, delivered a sombre update on the player’s fitness. He also opened up on his frosty chat with Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw, having asked him not to select Diao.
Fabregas said: “He definitely hurt his flexor making that run towards the goal.”
He then told Sky Sport: “I’m a great international player. I hope all my players go to the national team. But I asked, if there’s any sense, not to call him up. In eight months, he’s played three half-games, then a full one in Naples. He went to the national team, got injured and was out for a month and is back now.
“I feel sorry for the boy because he wasn’t supposed to play today. But I said tomorrow he’ll go with the national team, he’ll be out for five weeks, we’ll pay his salary.
“He’s been out for eight months and he’s a very strong player for us. At least let’s try to take a risk.
“The Senegal coach told me that if Diao hadn’t gone to the Africa Cup of Nations, he definitely wouldn’t have gone to the World Cup. I didn’t like that, and that’s why it was an unpleasant conversation.
“When you play with the fear of a player who is 20 years old with a career ahead of him, I don’t understand it.”
Dan Davis
Dan is an experienced sports journalist and part-time lecturer. An expert on Serie A and Italian football, he has produced content for the likes of the Daily Mail, Reach PLC, GiveMeSport, FourFourTwo and GRV Media. While Channel 4's iconic Football Italia was a bit before his time, the nostalgia - and pastries - fuelled his love of all things Calcio.
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