Mahrez, Belmadi’s strong statement

7 months ago 43
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Targeted by criticism since the start of the African Cup of Nations, Riyad Mahrez received public support on Monday from his coach, Djamel Belmadi.

Djamel Belmadi is a busy man. Since the start of the African Cup of Nations which is currently being held in Ivory Coast, the Algerian coach has been on all fronts to try to put out several fires. Firstly that caused by the particularly disappointing performances of Fennecs who failed to win in their first two matches and who find themselves with their backs against the wall with the obligation to win on Tuesday against Mauritania to avoid a disaster scenario, synonymous with elimination in the first round . Like two years ago. Then, because the Algerian tactician must defend Riyad Mahrez far from his usual standards, in terms of performance. This Monday, Djamel Belmadi stepped up to the plate again.

As he did after the match against Burkina Faso (2-2), Belmadi wanted to express his frank support for his captain this Monday at a press conference. “ I don’t want anyone to forget what Riyadh can do. Yes, I agree and it’s a fact, the last two games were not his best with the national team. But don’t kill him too quickly. Two months ago he was European champion. » And the forty-seven year old man added: “ Riyad Mahrez is an experienced player. In his career, he had to experience even more complicated situations. We feel confident and we always have confidence in our captain. »

Possible replacement

On the eve of the crucial match against Bertrand Traoré and his Burkinabe teammates, Djamel Belmadi, however, left doubts surrounding his decision vis-à-vis Riyad Mahrez. “ He could start, he could come on. No matter, he’s our captain, we know what he can do. (…) I have complete confidence in him. »

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Manu Tournoux

Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team. As an author for the website, Manu's expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers. When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans. Feel free to follow Manu on Twitter and interact with him as he shares his expert opinions, insights, and love for French football.

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