Por: Inside The World Cup
Algeria are hoping to qualify from the group stages for the first time in their history with a flexible 4-1-4-1 formation featuring Tottenham’s Nabil Bentaleb at the base of midfield
This article is part of the Guardian’s World Cup 2014 Experts’ Network, a co-operation between 32 of the best media organisations from the countries who have qualified for the finals in Brazil. theguardian.com is running previews from four countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 12 June.
Having been sacked as Ivory Coast manager three months before the last World Cup, Vahid Halilhodzic will be managing at the tournament for the first time. Since taking charge of Algeria in 2011, the Bosnian has used a 4-1-4-1 system that morphs into 4-1-3-2 when the team is on the attack. For the opening match against Belgium, it is highly probable that Rais M’Bolhi will be the goalkeeper, as he was four years ago in South Africa. Reims’ Aissa Mandi is likely to be at right-back, while Faouzi Ghoulam seems certain to be at left-back after an excellent first season in Napoli. The centre of defence will be manned by the captain, Madjid Bougherra, and Valenciennes’ Carl Medjani.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Nabil Bentaleb is almost guaranteed to anchor midfield after declaring for Algeria rather than France earlier this year; he will play just behind Sofiane Feghouli of Valencia and Dinamo Zagreb’s El Arbi Soudani. Saphir Taider of Internazionale should be on the right-hand side of midfield, with Medhi Lacen of Getafe on the left. Sporting Lisbon’s Islam Slimani will lead the attack.
Who is the player who is going to surprise everyone at the World Cup?
Yacine Brahimi. The attacking midfielder goes into the tournament in strong form, having played a major role in keeping Granada in the Spanish top-flight, notably scoring the winning goal in the shock victory over Barcelona in April. His excellent footwork and acceleration enables him to thrive in tight spaces and makes him a dangerous runner from deep.
Who is the player who is going to disappoint the most?
Hassan Yebda. Once an Under-17 world champion with France, Yebda ignited great joy when he declared for Algeria in 2009 and has remained a fixture in the national squad since then despite only flickering at club level, including during a stint at Portsmouth in 2010-11. But he has regressed badly in the last two years, seemingly having failed to rediscover his best form since a knee injury. But Halilhodzic, who is very fond of powerfully built players, retains his faith in him and rejects suggestions that the 30-year-old is well past his best.
What is the realistic aim for your team and why?
For their fourth appearance at the finals, Algeria’s target is to get out of their group for the first time. The current team has the attacking potential to do so, though much will hinge on how their defence holds up, especially in the first match against Belgium on 17 June. A positive result in that would give the team much-needed confidence and momentum.