A number of years ago, DZfoot published the article “Conservative list for matches without stakes” to which Djamel Belmadi publicly reacted, believing that all matches had a stake and that he wanted above all to establish a culture of won, while retorting that an official match was not the appropriate venue for a test.
The bias of the author of the article – the same as the one who wrote the one which is currently passing before your eyes – was simple: because Algeria had a well-established team, it had to take advantage of the situation of then, that is to say that of a team already qualified which has two matches to play (the same situation as today) to carry out tests.
If both camps and both arguments agree, the Vladimir Petković case in 2024 is different from that of his predecessor.
Unlike the Belmadi era, nothing is really certain in 2024
The first argument is already obvious: Djamel Belmadi was African champion and a year and a half later, relatively unwilling to change a method that worked. The series of invincibility that he regularly mentioned, perceived as tricky by some, was enough to leave him a minimum of margin in his management of the squad and in his choice of men.
For Vladimir Petković, everything has to be done. Qualification for the African Cup of Nations is a minimum for a self-respecting Algeria, and it will be above all up to them to perform there (and to compete in the next World Cup, 12 years later) to ensure a real margin. in his maneuver. He has already succeeded in silencing the most vehement with a series of good performances but nothing will be forgiven himas observed after the defeat against Guinea. So the idea of building a team with maximum automation and trust may not be far-fetched.
Good time to try with those who are already there
Another argument, still linked to the situation: Vladimir Petković can take advantage of matches where he does not have to win at all costs to experiment with new things. He already alternates between schemes depending on whether his team is playing away or at home, and he has often had to deal with a cascade of injuries.
This time, his defense is finally complete: Aït-Nouri, Bensebaïni, Tougaï, Mandi, Atal and Farsi are all there, which has clearly not happened so often in recent months. In front of them, in the absence of Boudaoui and Bennacer, both too often unavailable in recent months, we need to find lasting solutions. Zerrouki, who became a substitute at Feyenoord, and Zagence, whose selection adventure is up and down, will probably seize this opportunity to show what they are really capable of.
Algeria needs to come back
Last argument, and not as light as it seems: the FIFA ranking. The Greens fell, the fault of two CANs in a row contested without the slightest victory but also an absence at the last world championship. Today 37th, they have moved up to 5th place on the continent but are aware of this fragile status. Chaining together would allow them to be comfortable when viewing the different draws.
In short, it is obviously regrettable not to see new or forgotten talents in the National Team, like Kebbal and others. If some absences are easily understandable (Weiser is not there because Atal and Farsi are), others will be subject to debate. What matters today is that Algeria regains its splendor, regardless of the men.
DZfoot
