Opposed to Spain, Abdoulaye Diallo and the French U19s managed a real achievement by beating the “Roja” (2-1) in the U19 European Nations Championship final. The young Rennes goalkeeper earned his first ever trophy, and will play the U20 World Cup next year with the same generation of French players. He is the tenth player trained in Rennes to win this continental in this age category.
They did it! The France U19 National team is European champion after their victory against Spain (2-1). At the end of a dazzling encounter, with a rare intensity for this level, Abdoulaye Diallo and his team-mates went against all odds to beat a Spanish team led by players such as Sergio Canales.
Watched by Michel Platini, Rama Yade and the complete Stade Rennais squad, Francis Smerecki’s men were soon surprised by Rodrigo. The Real Madrid striker was at the reception of a deep ball to beat Abdoulaye Diallo with a crossed left-foot kick (0-1, 18’). Clearly inhibited by the occasion, the “Tricolores” seemed unable to up their game, against technically superior opponents. Until the second half, and Yannis Tafer’s entrance to replace Antoine Griezmann. Immediately, the Lyon striker brought renewed energy and inspiration to the French attacking line. Five minutes after half-time, he launched Gilles Sunu behind the Spanish defence, who equalised with a subtle lob. Now in the game, more aggressive, the “Bleuets” took the advantage after a long run by Gaël Kakuta. After giving the Spanish defense the run-around and stumbling on Alex, the former Lens player managed to deliver for Antoine Lacazette’s victorious header (2-1, 84’)
At the final whistle, the atmosphere was exceptional in Caen’s d’Ornano Stadium. France won this title for the sixth time in their history. The team also took their revenge from 2008, when the same generation of Spanish team had punished the Frenchen in the U17 Euro’s final (4-0). A former member of Rennes’ Academy, versatile defender Joël Aderogoye was then involved in the adventure, before he left the club last June.
On the contrary to his team-mates (1991 generation), Diallo is born in 1992. Upgraded, he managed a great tournament and proved decisive at key moments of this competition.
Against Spain, Diallo showed confidence in all his interventions, in the air or deflecting shots by de Sergio Canales and Marc Bartra (9’, 54’). The Reims born goalkeeper can be proud of his tournament, and of this first line to his palmares, and what a line!
After Yoann Bigné, Ludovic Roy and Mickaël Silvestre in 1996 – and against Spain, already! -, Jean-Félix Dorothée, Gaël Danic and Steven Pelé in 2000, Yoann Gourcuff, Olivier N’Siabamfumu and Moussa Sow in 2005, Abdoulaye Diallo becomes the tenth player from the Stade Rennais’ Academy to win a U19 Euro with France.
After a well deserved holiday, the French-Senegalese player will be back on the Vilaine banks as the club’s third goalkeeper. A few weeks ago, he admitted to Ouest-France that a loan could be a solution for him to launch his career before – maybe – becoming Rennes’ first goalkeeper in the coming years. No decision has been taken by the club on his case, but this will certainly happen in the near future, considering the player’s new public exposition.
- Goalkeepers : Abdoulaye Diallo (Rennes), Marc Vidal (Toulouse)
- Defenders : Gaëtan Bussmann (Metz) Sébastien Faure (Lyon), Timothée Kolodziejczak (Lyon), Johan Martial (Bastia), Chris Mavinga (Liverpool, ENG), Loïc Négo (Nantes)
- Midfielders : Francis Coquelin (Arsenal, loaned to Lorient), Gueida Fofana (Le Havre), Clément Grenier (Lyon), Enzo Reale (Lyon)
- Strikers : Cédric Bakambu (Sochaux), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad, ESP), Gaël Kakuta (Chelsea, ENG), Antoine Lacazette (Lyon), Gilles Sunu (Arsenal, ENG), Yannis Tafer (Lyon).
- Abdoulaye Diallo’s profile
- International, U19 : Diallo faces the Spanish Giant
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