Algeria has finally begun its (real) change following a new disastrous CAN in Ivory Coast. After a historic mandate, but which ended badly, Djamel Belmadi was replaced by Vladimir Petkovic. For his first gathering, the former Switzerland coach distinguished himself by making several strong choices in his list. While several executives like Riyad Mahrez, Islam Slimani and Youcef Belaïli were not selected for the March gathering, several returnees were worth mentioning like Yassine Benzia and Yacine Brahimi. The Al-Gharafa striker was also captain this evening against Bolivia. Faced with a disappointing nation in recent years, the Fennecs had to put their minds back in place and replenish their confidence for the premiere of their new coach.
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Led by an offensive quartet composed of Gouiri, Bounedjah, Chaïbi and Brahimi, the Desert Warriors quickly took the upper hand in the game. From the first minutes, Algeria created a big double action with Gouiri and Bounedjah (3rd). And while the Bolivian goalkeeper, Guillermo Viscarra, deployed to save his family (13th), Anthony Mandréa was close to the penalty but Tougaï kept a close watch (21st). And after several dangerous offensives, Nabil Bentaleb’s teammates made the difference following a great combination between Yacine Brahimi and Amine Gouiri, concluded by the latter. Very restless since the start of the meeting, the former Porto player did a sleight of hand to slip between two opponents and serve the Rennais. Clinically, the OL-trained player did not tremble and deceived Viscarra after a slightly blocked shot.
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The huge blow for Algeria saved by a faulty Mandi
And while the Greens were sovereign, their score advantage collapsed as soon as they returned from the locker room. On a harmless ball behind the defense, Aïssa Mandi got a hole and Carmelo Algaranaz took the opportunity to deceive Mandréa with an unstoppable shot into the top corner (1-1, 47th). Far from being stunned, the Fennecs tried to quickly regain the advantage but the great action between Amoura, Gouiri and Benzia ended with a blocked strike from the last city (49th). Attractive in the first period, Petkovic’s squad then disintegrated in the second period. Around the hour mark, it almost took on water on two big actions from Fernandez (57th) and Villamin (60th). And this slack cost the Fennecs dearly.
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On a harmless but very well-hit free kick, Sagredo took advantage of Mandréa’s poor intervention to put his team in front (1-2, 71st). Disconcerted, the Algerians then sought to equalize by all means. The entry of Mounsef Bakrar then did a lot of good. It was precisely the self-sacrifice of the New York striker who perfectly served Yassine Benzia who deceived Viscarra to equalize (2-2, 81st). The player trained by OL was also close to overturning everything in the following action, but the Bolivian goalkeeper made a fantastic save (82nd). And after a few offensives in the final minutes, Algeria finally won thanks to Aissa Mandi following a good cross from Kendouci (3-2, 90+4th). With this victory at the end of the match after a spirited first period, the Fennecs lost their footing on several swings in concentration but showed great character to finally win. We will have to do better on Tuesday against South Africa (10 p.m.).
Pub. 03/22/2024 11:59 p.m. Updated 03/23/2024 01:10
2024-03-22 22:59:42
#Petkovics #Algeria #wins #wire #Bolivia
