Algeria: what impressed Petkovic most against the Netherlands

Africa Today at 06:30

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI

News Editor

03.06.26 FT Friendly International

Netherlands

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Algeria

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After a stunning victory over the Netherlands in Rotterdam (1-0), Algeria's greatest achievement was its ability to bounce back following a challenging first half. This performance won over Vladimir Petkovic, who voiced his pride in the character displayed by his players against one of Europe's top national teams.

The Algerian team made a huge statement in Rotterdam by defeating the Netherlands (1-0), but beyond the result, it was the Fennecs’ response that truly impressed Vladimir Petkovic. Outplayed for much of the first half, the Bosnian-Swiss manager’s men managed to turn the tide, ultimately securing a hard-fought win over one of Europe’s best teams.

Petkovic highlights the Fennecs’ character

Speaking at the press conference, the national coach praised the maturity shown by his squad.

“It was a very good match, but we need to stay grounded. [...] We always play to win, but the important thing is to strengthen our style of play, perform better on the pitch, and study our opponents closely,” he explained.

This analysis perfectly reflects the match’s storyline, with Algeria transforming from a team under pressure into a side that took control after the break.

See also: Algeria triggers an alert in the Netherlands

A victory that boosts ambitions

Petkovic also welcomed the psychological impact of this win ahead of the World Cup.

“Beating the Netherlands gives us a shot of confidence before the World Cup. We adapt our plans for each match and each opponent’s demands.”

Reflecting on the match’s dynamics, he added:

“We tried to win even during tough moments, and that’s a positive sign. Some teams suffer, others rise to the challenge.”

Before looking ahead to the rest of the preparation:

“This match will be an opportunity to correct mistakes and give more game time to certain players.”

These comments illustrate the coach’s satisfaction after a convincing and character-filled performance from his squad.

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