The fruits of his travail were not readily observed until a match against Malawi in Blida, on the fourth day of qualification. Algeria’s outfield players then completed 500 passes, the highest total in over a decade. Islam Slimani’s goal - Algeria’s third - was preceded by a whopping twenty-three consecutive passes. Things only improved in the next match against Ethiopia when Les Fennecs completed 613 passes and fashioned goalscoring opportunity after goalscoring opportunity.
Strengths
Momentum – Algeria suffered no World Cup hangover. After winning the hearts of millions with heroic performances against Russia and Germany, Algeria seamlessly transitioned in Africa, at times playing mesmeric football. Preparations have passed serenely, as this group looks to finally add a second gold star above their crest.
Weaknesses
Lack of a Plan B - In Bamako, on the final matchday of qualification, Algeria were outplayed and defeated. Mali coach Henryk Kasperszcak studied Algeria’s distinct passing style and drew up a game plan that interrupted their passing with a high bloc. Gourcuff has so perfected his philosophy that he does not believe in finding alternatives. The question then poses itself: If teams study the Algerian style of play and set up to disrupt it, can Les Fennecs fashion a sort of Plan B to break stalemates?
Key Player
Yacine Brahimi – After a successful World Cup, Brahimi earned a move to FC Porto, where he has enjoyed unmitigated success. The 24 year-old attacking midfielder has developed an end product and has enjoyed an extremely successful Champions League campaign. Free of any defensive constraints, Brahimi has also took on another dimension for his national team under Gourcuff. He excels in what has been coined the ‘free electron’ role, enjoying unrestricted movement, which opens the space necessary for the wonderful whimsical moments of footballing magic he now regularly produces.
FC Porto, where he has enjoyed unmitigated success. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder has developed an end product and has enjoyed an extremely successful Champions League campaign. Brahimi took on another dimension for his national team under Gourcuff. He excels in what has been coined the ‘free electron’ role, enjoying unrestricted movement, prodicomg wonderful whimsical moments of footballing magic.
The Hipster Choice
Medhi Lacen – Central midfielders in Gourcuff’s 4-4-2 play a fairly static role, never roaming too far forward. Lacen, Bentaleb, and Taider instead hold a distributive role, and are tasked with covering for attacking fullbacks. As most opponents will employ a counter-attacking tactic against Algeria, Lacen’s organizational role in midfield will be more than crucial.
The Coach
Christian Gourcuff - In France, Gourcuff was renowned as one of L’Hexagone’s most accomplished tacticians. He spent twenty-five years at Lorient, dragging the club out of lower league mediocrity and into an established, competitive Ligue 1 outfit. His neurotic attention to detail has been carried over into the sporting arena where he has developed a precise philosophy that stresses possession football.
SFG Predicts
Champions - An Algerian nucleus that has grown together over the previous few years now has the talent, experience, and big-game mentality to win this Africa Cup of Nations.
By Maher Mezahi (@MezahiMaher)