A look back at the failed debut of the Greens

This afternoon, Djamel Belmadi’s men made their debut in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (presumably the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations) and the least we can say is that the defending champions have suffered much more.

If it is necessary to emphasize the complex playing conditions between heat and high humidity, especially for the group that arrived in Cameroon only three days before their first meeting, but especially on the grass at the Jaboma stadium in Douala that is unworthy of a continental competition, Algeria have suffered greatly. Hence, it is essential to learn lessons from this encounter against the Lion Stars as the Algerians seemed unable to develop their game.

Tactical glitch screaming

One would expect to see a Sierra Leone defending at a low block and thus going up against the African champions, but it was very different in the end. Indeed, in his good place tactically, defender John Kester put pressure from the midfield and even provided, from the start, the most dangerous opportunities in this encounter.

🇩🇿🇸🇱 We are there!
The eleventh coming from Algeria, who will face Sierra Leone on the first day of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations! #Algeria_team # CAN2021

Come on, you greens! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/WCMiHPhV9Q

– DZfoot (DZfoot) January 11 2022

If the team’s formation suggested the possibility of 4-2-3-1 for the Algerians, with a double axis guard Békéla – Sofiane Feghouli in recovery and in the absence of Ramiz Zerrougui and Ismail Bennacer in particular, the Algerian eleven would finally develop in 4.-1-4-1 with The only goalkeeper in the defensive midfield who will find difficulties in the midfield.

Indeed, the Sierra Leoneans will take the lead in midfield as Stade Brestois will be very lonely in the defensive phases and will have few possibilities between the lines by his teammates in the building phase. We will note that these bulging lines prevent for a very long time, for a very long time, the slightest qualitative attack from the Algerian side. At times, it seemed like there was 50 meters between the defensive block and the Algerian offensive block. The defenders, moving high (contrary to their usual instructions, with a past often telling them not to take risks), did not know how to provide the surplus needed to bypass the opposing mass.

Long balls that did not have the expected effect, it will finally be Sofiane Bendibeka in place of Sofiane Feghouli a little after the hour, which will allow the Algerians to address this concern to some extent, developing in the middle of the opening to the bottom and playing superbly. The role of the piston that the Greens lacked.

Belmadi “It was very hot and humid. We were playing against a physically strong and well-organised team. We find it difficult to break boundaries. ” #ALGSLE #TeamDZ #Algeria_team # CAN2021

– DZfoot (DZfoot) January 11 2022

Offensive items that lack inspiration

Despite the difficulties encountered during the meeting, Riyad Mahrez’s teammates will still have many opportunities to open the scoring, especially in the second half when the entry of new elements plays along with the fatigue shown by the Sierra Leoneans. It will provide interesting opportunities.

In turn, Algeria’s offensive players will see their attempts fail due to foolishness, a lack of clarity or even a lack of altruism, but also thanks to the crucial warnings by Sierra Leonean goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara, the man-elect for the match. Djamel Belmadi, coach of the national team, will not hide his frustration during the match over the failures of his players, and he will not fail to highlight this failure at the final whistle.

Belmadi “I am not used to talking about individual performance of players, especially when it comes to criticism.
In general, we managed to get some chances. ” #ALGSLE #TeamDZ #Algeria_team # CAN2021

– DZfoot (DZfoot) January 11 2022

An unsettling attacking collapse for a team that has consistently scored at least one feat in the last 36 games since 2018.

🇩🇿🇸🇱 For the first time in 36 matches, Algeria failed to score a goal in a match. The last time Algeria failed to score was in October 2018, more than 3 years ago, with a 1-0 loss to Benin. #Algeria_team #African Cup of Nations 2021 pic.twitter.com/kcSPuGaxdl

– Walid Al-Zayani (@bylka613_) January 11 2022

In short, a poor performance that must be quickly absorbed in order to show a completely different face, starting on Sunday against Equatorial Guinea where a win will really be necessary.

DZfoot