Algeria vs. Russia, 2014 World Cup preview: Les Fennecs on brink of knockouts
Russia need to beat Algeria to jump above them in Group H and stand any chance of making the knockout stages.
Algeria have impressed at the World Cup so far, and they head into their final group game against Russia with a great chance of making the knockout stages for the first time ever. Having picked up three points from their first couple of games, Les Fennecs would guarantee their progression with a victory. Even a draw would do, providing South Korea don't beat Belgium in Group H's other game.
Russia, meanwhile, need to beat Algeria to stand any chance of joining group leaders Belgium in the knockout stages. Fabio Capello’s side have been characteristically defensive in their first couple of performances, and have only managed to pick up a single point for their troubles. Expect them to play a little more expansively with progression on the line.
Team news
After his side were narrowly beaten by Belgium in their opening game, Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodžić made a number of more attacking changes against South Korea. It paid dividends, as Les Fennecs clinched a remarkable 4-2 win to give them a great chance of progression. It remains to be seen whether Halilhodžić will be equally brave against Russia, or will revert to a more defensive lineup with Saphir Taïder returning to the midfield over the more attack-minded Yacine Brahimi.
Russia boss Fabio Capello isn’t really the type of coach to make wholesale changes to his preferred lineup, but with his side simply needing to win, we could see a few alterations. Playmaker Alan Dzagoev and forward Aleksandr Kerzhakov are in contention to make their first starts of the tournament, as Russia go in search of more goals.
Projected lineups (left to right)
Algeria (4-2-3-1): Raïs M'Bohli; Djamel Mesbah, Madjid Bougherra, Rafik Halliche, Aïssa Mandi; Carl Medjani, Nabil Bentaleb; Abdelmoumene Djabou, Yacine Brahimi, Sofiane Feghouli; Islam Slimani.
Russia (4-2-3-1): Igor Akinfeev; Dmitri Kombarov, Sergei Ignashevich, Vasili Berezutski, Andrey Yeshchenko; Viktor Fayzulin, Denis Glushakov; Aleksandr Kokorin, Alan Dzagoev, Aleksandr Samedov; Aleksandr Kerzhakov.
Key matchups
Pressing Algeria vs. standoffish Algeria - Algeria were pretty good in their first couple of matches despite employing two very different strategies. In their narrow defeat to Belgium, Les Fennecs were extremely defensive, sitting deep and compact and rarely pressing to win the ball high up the pitch. Against South Korea they were transformed, and they regularly harassed the Korean from the front. It’ll be interesting to see how Algeria play against Russia, who would probably prefer them to attack and leave space in behind rather than sit deep.
Russia v. Algeria
Yacine Brahimi vs. Russia's defensive midfielders - If Halilhodžić does go defensive, then Yacine Brahimi would likely be the man to drop to the bench despite being the star of the show against South Korea. If he does keep his place in the starting 11, he'll likely be one of their key players. His mobility and close control makes him an great direct threat running at defenses to find space to shoot or slot in a teammate, so Russia's defensive midfielders would have to be sure to keep him quiet.
Alan Dzagoev vs. Carl Medjani - Alan Dzagoev hasn’t started in either of Russia’s games at the World Cup so far, with Capello instead preferring a string of more industrious, defensive players. However, with Russia needing to win this game the Italian coach may well finally put faith in the attacking midfielder who shot to international prominence with some good displays at the European Championships two years ago. If Dzagoev plays, it’ll be up to Algerian defensive midfielder Carl Medjani to deny him space to carve defences apart.
Prediction
In terms of technical skill, Algeria are one of the most underrated sides in the tournament. But they’re also very hard-working and capable of sitting deep and shutting out teams with required. With a draw likely to get them through, they probably won’t be throwing men forward in attack, and should have enough to keep out a pretty blunt Russia. 0-0.
See More:
