The advantage of qualifying early is that it allows everyone to think beyond the final score. Some will boast – rightly – that it is through play that results are obtained, others will affirm that victory must above all take precedence because history remembers those who have a track record – and in this, they have in turn right – but it doesn’t matter:
Algeriawho is officially among the first to qualify for the next African Cup of Nations, can afford to only think about the gameand only to the players.
These men will be discussed in this article. Who to align? In what arrangements, with what intentions and what animation? For Vladimir Petković, who now has a certain knowledge of the mass of players at his disposal, the reflection must be intense.
Between reminder and confirmation from the goalkeeper
The Swiss-Bosnian coach does not hide it: if he considers a player to be worthy of it, he does not hesitate not only to recall but also to play an element lacking playing time in his club, as was the case with Youcef Atal free of any contract in September.
For the current truce, there are still many of them in this scenario. The first of them is also a goalkeeper, a very specific position, and he is the usual starter:
Anthony Mandréa. Too irregular in Caen, he was downgraded in favor of the usual replacement Yannis Clémentia, after missing the previous break for personal reasons.
It would therefore not be surprising to see him start the meetinghe who clearly has the confidence of Petković. Other options, but they would be more surprising: either give playing time to Alexandre Oukidjawho must think he came out of retirement for nothing; or chain
Alexis Guendouzinteresting in October.
A usual defense…but not without question
In front of him, a boulevard and a question: what pattern? Algeria, since the arrival of the new coach, regularly aligns a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 shape away from home (this was the case in Liberia and should have been the case in Togo without a cascade of side injuries).
If there is a three-way defense, it seems almost inevitable that it will be made up of the usual three starters:
Aïssa Mandi right, Mohamed
Tougaï (in difficulty in club) in the axis and
Framework Bensebaini (which is better in Dortmund) on the left. Alongside them, probably the return of
Youcef Atalwho still cannot play in the championship in Qatar even though Mohamed Farsi
saw its own (MLS, USA) being completed until 2025. On the left, there is debate between Jaouen Hadjamwho is returning from injury, and Rayan Ait-Nouri but, because the first is still weakened, it is likely to see the second.
A little question in the middle
Adem Zorgue and Ramiz Zerrouki have been in the National Team for many yearsespecially the second named. The two midfielders, however, continue to deliver seesaw performances in selection and should be able to enjoy this match without too much pressure to get their heads above water, helped, it is true, by the absence of competition (Boudaoui and Bennacer are injured, Mrezigue, Belkebla and others out of the list).
One name, however, could raise doubts on the matter:
Himad Abdelli. If he is clearly a number 10, Angevin – a club where he is in very good shape – could provide as a relay player or even have a hybrid position in front of a defensive profile, like Zerrouki. This would nevertheless be taking risks: Equatorial Guinea has been undefeated since 2019 at home and we should not feel too confident before facing them… just as we should not forget a certain Fares Chaïbiwhose ultra-versatility has long caused him to be sidelined. It’s difficult to know what his trainer’s intentions are regarding him, however.
In attack, clearly the vagueness sets in
Up front, finally, Vladimir Petković’s choices will leave one guessing as to what lies ahead in the middle. If it’s a 3-5-2, it seems possible to see Himad Abdelli, therefore, but also Said Benrahma – in difficulty in Lyon – as was the case in Togo. It is also not excluded to see Mohamed Amine Amoura even Amine Gouiri.
This same Gouiri could also occupy the axis of the attack alone just as he could revolve around Baghdad Bounedjahwhich is less likely. If we stick to what Petkovic did in Liberia, there would be a 3-5-2. If this is Togo’s pattern, it’s a 3-4-3. In any case, and also because Aouar is not there, it seems almost impossible not to see the start Riyad Mahrezreturned in great form with his club and on which the coach builds a new generation. Doubt is therefore allowed!
The Greens’ probable XI: Mandrea – Mandi – Tougaï – Bensebaïni – Atal – Aït-Nouri – Zerrouki – Zorgane – Mahrez – Benrahma – Gouiri
DZfoot
