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Between hopes and serial injuries before friendly matches
The Greens in Jeddah
The Algerian national team arrived this Sunday evening in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where they will play two friendly matches against Zimbabwe on November 13, then against Saudi Arabia on November 18. Only part of the group made the initial trip, the players having played Friday and Saturday with their clubs.
The rest of the squad was expected this Monday. The flight specially chartered for the occasion landed at 10:20 p.m. at Jeddah International Airport. Upon their arrival, the Greens were warmly welcomed by the Consul General of Algeria in Jeddah, Mohamed Alem, accompanied by several members of the consulate.
Petkovic facing the wall
Facing the wall, like a mason at work, national coach Vladimir Petrovic continues to acknowledge receipt of bad news on the eve of these preparation matches.
Ambitions, already cautious, now seem to be scaled back. But in this difficult context, the Serbian technician will have to demonstrate more than ever the value of the group he has chosen, with a view to the next African Cup of Nations.
Despite the absences, the motivation remains intact: the Greens want above all to prove to themselves – and to prove to others – that they are capable of surprising, whether during friendlies or in major competitions.
It all started with the withdrawals of Ramy Bensebaïni and Youcef Belaïli, two essential executives of the team. We thought the black series was over, but a new blow was added to the list. This Monday, the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) confirmed the withdrawal of Farès Chaïbi, the Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder. The young international suffers from a muscle injury in his thigh, contracted during his club’s 1-0 victory against Mainz in the Bundesliga. An indisputable and valuable starter in the midfield, Chaïbi remains in Germany to receive the necessary treatment. An additional blow for Petrovic, forced to review his tactical plans and rely on new faces to stay the course, despite a largely disrupted preparation. “We have always acted in a professional, progressive and intelligent manner in order to maintain a solid mental level,” recalled the coach, determined to stay the course.
Youcef Belaïli seriously injured: the Algerian from Espérance Tunis victim of a cruciate ligament rupture
As misfortune never comes alone, the Algerian international of Esperance sportif de Tunis, Youcef Belaïli, suffered a serious injury during the capital derby against Club Africain (0-0), played on Sunday as part of the Tunisian Ligue 1 championship.
According to a press release published Monday by the “Sang et Or” club on its social networks, medical examinations carried out by the 33-year-old winger revealed a rupture of the cruciate ligaments in his right knee.
“Injured during the derby against Club Africain, the Algerian winger carried out an MRI which confirmed the rupture of the cruciate ligaments. The player will be operated on in the coming days,” specifies ES Tunis.
Released in the 21st minute of play, Belaïli leaves a big void in the Esperance squad, as the club prepares to compete in the group stage of the CAF Champions League. This injury should keep him away from the field for several months. Before this stoppage, the former MC Alger player was in sparkling form, with eight direct involvement in goals (goals and assists) in 11 appearances this season in the league.
Not selected by Vladimir Petkovic for the national team’s friendly matches against Zimbabwe and Saudi Arabia, Belaïli will now have to begin a long period of convalescence.
With 59 caps to his name, the native of Oran had largely contributed to Algeria’s successes during the 2019 CAN and the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup, scoring two goals each time and standing out for his offensive influence.
H.Hichem