Group of Life where maybe everyone has a chance

I know, but that doesn't mean i have to like it. Also I forgot to mention that the injury is an ankle sprain.

 

----------------Kokorin------------------
Zhirkov-------Dzagoev----------Samedov
-------------------Faizulin----------
---------Denisov---------------------
Schennikov-Ignashevich-Berezutski-Eschenko
-----------------Akinfeev---------------------

looks like the starting XI for Russia. Although there's still a chance Shatov starts over Dzagoev. He's been superb lately.

 

Hard to predict Algeria's starting line-up, but my guess is this:

------------Slimani----------
Soudani ------------------Feghouli
------ Taider - Bentaleb ------------
-------------Medjani------------------
Ghoulam-Cadamuro-Bougherra-Mandi
-----------M'Bolhi---------

* Brahimi, Djabou or Mahrez could well be in the starting lineup.
* Vahid might then opt for Soudani as striker and leave Slimani on the bench
* I suspect Vahid is considering a more defensive central mid against Belgium. Then Lacen would replace Bentaleb.

After 20 years of drought, it is finally difficult to pick players in the Algerian NT again

 

Which players are more or less certainties? ... who would Brahimi, Djabou or Mahrez replace in your best guess line-up?

 

Certain players: Ghoulam, Bougherra, Feghouli
There is a lot of competition for all spots, so I am not sure about anything else than those players mentioned above.

M'Bolhi, Mandi and Medjani should be playing. The rest is a big question mark. Especially in the attacking midfield positions we have Brahimi, Soudani, Ghilas, Mahrez, Djabou and Feghouli fighting for the same spots, with only the latter being "safe" in the starting lineup.

Maybe some other Algeria fans in here could help with their take on this.

 

i don't think at all that slimani will begin against belgium. his best (only) weapon is his head... and against belgians giant defenders, it is useless.
better to have a fast guy like soudani...

IMO, the starting line against belgium :

--------------------Soudani***
Brahimi**----------------------------Feghouli
-----------Bentaleb------Taider*
-------------------Medjani
Ghoulam - Cadamuro - Boughera - Mandi
---------------------Mbohli

* or lacen. one will begin and the other will replace him during the game
** or djabou or mahrez : these 3 guys have same profile. dribbling and offensive wingers. I prefer mahrez but i dont know wich one will begin. I also know that one of the other will enter during the game.
*** will be replaced by ghilas or slimani

 

We're not that big ... Valbuena is just a little guy:

 

loooooool valbubu

 

Against Belgium, I'd say the following is certain:

-----------------------GK
RB-------Bougherra----Cadamuro----Ghoulam
---------------------Medjani
-------------Taider-----------Bentaleb
Feghouli------------------------------------LW
-----------------------ST

So a 4-1-2-2-1 type formation that Vahid likes to play. 4 positions up for grab. Zemmamouche vs M'bolhi in goal but I'd expect M'bolhi to play. RB is between Mostefa and Mandi. How this is even up for grabs I'll never know, Mandi is a much better player. Just hope Vahid doesn't make the mistake of playing Mostefa. LW will be between Mahrez/Djabou/Brahimi. I'd expect it to be Mahrez. Brahimi is the better player of the 3 but I think Vahid will save him for when we play a 4-2-3-1 against one/both of the other teams in the group. Up front is between Soudani/Slimani/Ghilas. Soudani favourite after Slimani showed some poor finishing over last 2 friendlies. I would personally have Ghilas there, but Ghilas wasn't given a chance in this role in friendlies, which indicates that it will be between the other two.

 

Love the illusion in that pic. It looks like Fellaini could pick Valbuena up and put him in his pocket!

 

whats implication for brazillian climate condition for the group? would it be an over simplication to claim that algeria would have advantage over the other three?

 

You're looking too hard into it. Algeria hardly has any advantage. They're on the same boat as Belgium since most of their players are European born. Also, you'd be surprised how cold Algeria gets - it's not all Sahara Desert.

Korea should be fine as well. I don't know enough about Russia and their playing conditions to know how they'd fare. It does get very cold in parts of Russia but there are also very warm climates next to the Caucuses as well. I'd imagine it won't be too bad for their players. Capello is a top class coach and his team will be prepared.

 

Algeria will play one match at belo horizonte.
And the two other matches in cities of tve south. Where there is a cool climate in june.

 

Now it is safe to say that Russia, Algeria, and Belgium are secured 3 points as minimum.

 

Algeria hasn't won a World Cup game in 32 years. Korea has quality. They're not looking too good but they may be a bit unlucky too. I still think they can beat Algeria or Russia on a good day.

 

lmao why is the russian guy so cocky for? russia hasn't done anything relevant in football since yashin. they are literally the last fan base that should be poking fun at anyone. hell this is the first world cup that russia is scheduled to appear in since 2002. at least algeria made it to the last world cup. anyways whoever makes it to the round of 16 will most likely be eliminated right away by whoever progresses from group g. germany, portugal, and ghana will be too much for everyone in group h with the exception of belgium. even then belgium's inexperience might cost them later on in the tournament.

 

I am not saying it just because we've just lost to Ghana 4-0.

We are not playing as a team. Defenders making same mistakes over and over while midfielders are clueless with their positioning. Attackers are trying their butts off but they don't seem to have good rapport among themselves.
Our goalies can't block a damn shot on goal. Meanwhile our coaching staffs are too stubborn and clinging to strategies which are too predictable.

I do hope for big miracle my mate. But it is unlikely to transform the whole team from a to z in a week or so.

 

Doubt Algeria at your own peril they will preform much better then you think. They have a legit shot at getting out of their group more then s.korea imo. I think Belgium will win the group, Russia as runner up.

 

I hope Algeria advances as the 2nd group because I support CAF teams. But I suspect Russia will be runner up. I think Iran can make noise if they defeat Nigeria in the opener....

 

Algeria does possess elements to have successful campaign in this edition of the World Cup. They are very quick in transition and dangerous on counter. I wouldn't be surprised if they make the quarterfinals.

 

The friendlies are finally over so we'll be able to judge the teams with real results starting next tuesday. Yesterday's 4-0 score is meaningless. Korea is a very dangerous team that will definetly not be underestimated by any of the other teams
If there's a winner between Russia/Korea game that team will have a huge advantage to go through.
As an Algerian, I'm hoping we get at least a tie with Belgium. A loss coupled with a winner among Korea/Russia game will make it much harder for Algeria to advance (though not impossible).

 

I'm sorry but after the sleugh of friendlies South Korea seems the weakest in the group. As it stands Belgium, Russia, ALgeria, South Korea

 

South Korea seems in a very bad period.
Algérie is better than usually and Russia didn't reach round 16 since 86...

i'll go with Belgium and Russia as Russia got a better schedule than Algeria but it's far from being sure...