Back in the France squad to reclaim his spot at right-back from Djibril Sidibé, Bacary Sagna is setting out to prove everyone wrong about the misconceptions that have managed to creep in about his game.
For example, the criticisms that his crosses aren’t good enough are dismissed for his three assists last season and the fact he’s already got one in four games this year.
He doesn’t go forward enough? He’s a defender, and Sagna himself says he needs to do that first to help the team.
Even as a defender, he’s very good: 0.3 fouls a game, nearly two interceptions a game, and an improvement in his heading (three aerial duels won/game) makes him the best option France have at the spot.
The French newspaper even say the player is ‘bored’ of the criticism from his national media, so much so that he now refuses to talk to them after the game, only replying to questions in English.
Is it a coincidence the two poor results suffered by City this year (2-0 vs Spurs and 3-3 vs Celtic) have been in his absence? L’Equipe don’t think so.
