Egypt – Algeria: Critical tactical issues!!

Unlike the weather here in Egypt which is starting to get much better as we start our winter season, too late I know but this is how things are around here, and people are starting to feel the cold breeze, Egypt- Algeria is only getting hotter.

The hype around the game has reached unprecedented levels from both sides; the media keeps pouring oil on fire, the fans are charged and the atmosphere is electric that both managers have escaped with their teams, one in Italy and the other in Aswan.

But in the end, it will be 11 men Vs. 11 men and Shehata Vs. Sadaane which implies that only tactics and individual skills will decide the winner; so I will try to foresee possible scenarios of the game and tactical options that Shehata may apply.

As you all know, we need to win at least by two to play a tiebreaker or qualify directly if we win by three; Algeria, on the other hand, can afford to lose by one goal.

The game is played in Cairo so more than 80 thousand fans will be there increasing the pressure on both sides; however, it will be more on Egyptian players as time factor won’t help; every minute that passes will add to the tension of the fans which will be transferred to the players as more pressure.

An early a goal would do wonders and turn everything upside down and Algeria’s advantage would be meaningless, score the second and then the match will open and expect anything then.

Rosy dreams, ha?……well, the Algerians aren’t blind or stupid, they know that and would do one of two things; either defend with 10 players to absorb Egyptian attacks and start to push onto the midfield as we advance in time when Egyptian players start to lose faith or they would start attacking and put us under pressure instead and maybe score one goal and then it will be a piece of cake, although not theoretically.

Here, comes Shehata’s part and his choice of formation, game plan and players who can apply it perfectly.

In most of our previous games, we played with 3-5-2 at home and 5-3-2 formation in away games; two defensive midfielders with attacking shores and one attacking midfielder, Abu Treika, and two strikers from Meteb, Zaki, Zidan and Ahmed Raouf in home games; in away games, we played with three defensive midfielders, only one has attacking shores (Ahmed Hassan) and in front we had Abu Treika behind one striker, sometimes because of the lack of a second one due to injuries.

Well, Shehata has to decide now whether to put Algerians under pressure and start with a 3-4-3 formation in which we have an attacking triangle with support from midfield and from the flanks; under such scenario, Hani Said won’t be a third defender in the back but would advance in midfield compensating for the attacking support. The flanks would be chosen depending on the defensive abilities as they will have to be fast enough to retreat during Algerian counter attacks; especially that it is Algeria’s most dangerous weapon, one midfielder will have to stick to his position and not advance under any case.

In case of attack, Algerian defenses would have more players in their zone than they can handle and surely continued pressure would break them but remains the danger of counter attacks.

For such formation, we need strong, fast players in midfield (Hosni and Ahmed Hassan) and experienced defenders, Ahmed Fathi and Oka (Abdel Zaher El Saqqa); for the wings Moawad remains the best possible option on the left while El Mohamadi is favored over Barakat because of physical strength in challenges and speed although Barakat is more skillful.

A more attacking but too risky formation is 4-2-4 where Zaki and Meteb are fixed strikers behind them is Zidan and Abu Treika as play-makers who are most of the time in Algeria’s zone, behind them is two fixed defensive midfielders, only the wings would have some liberty in their movements back and forth along the line the shortcoming, however, is that defense would be vulnerable to counter attacks.

The second most possible formation which Shehata adopted many times is 5-3-2 in which Abu Treika and a sole striker are fielded upfront while 3 midfielders who provide attacking and defensive support whenever needed; the key in this formation is the wings; specifically, Sayed Mowad who along with Abu Treika form an invincible couple. Italy and Brazil’s games are a demonstration of this formation.

The good side is that we keep the ball better under this formation and tend to control the game and force our style on the opponent but the problem is that unless the opponent attacks we don’t score many goals and with a team who may put 9 or 10 players in defense it won’t be as effective.

Players’ choice

In defense, with the absence of Gomaa we need a tall defender who is good at headers and one who has a good sixth sense and can predict the ball and not easy to dribble through; best choices are Fathi and Oka (El Saqqa)

In Midfield, it will depend on the formation but I guess Shawky and Hosni are essential; both are young, good at passing the ball, have a unique chemistry and most importantly fast at restoring positions during counter attacks; Ahmed Hassan and Homos maybe used during the game.

For the attacking line, in case of one striker then it should be Zidan, in case of two then we will need physical strength and good headers (Amr Zaki)

On the wings, El Mohamadi and Moawad are favorites for the reasons mentioned above; Barakat can be used later in the game when we need pace, especially if the game opens.

The Algerians are quick, extremely good on the sides and free kicks; their players are skillful but 5-a-side skill that doesn’t value collective group work very much (check Rwanda’s game); however, they suffer under pressure (check Zambia’s game and the first half of Egypt’s game)

If they start by attacking, then they have saved us a lot of troubles as we will have more space to play in and the pressure will decrease a lot as open play gives more opportunities for scoring; however, our defense will be put to the test then and if they succeed we would have accomplished more than 40% of the mission.

Time wasting tactics of staying on the ground for long time after every challenge, taking a lot of time to play a simple goal kick or throw in not to mention trying to provoke the players for fights to erupt and provoke the fans to distract the Egyptian team are certainly going to take place.

Shehata has to put all this in mind and the players must get ready for this kind of play.

All in all, many of these points will clear up after Tanzania’s game and the possibility of any player getting injured may turn the whole scenario upside down.

So which is the best formation we should use? Do you think that there are some tactical issues that might be addressed? Which players fit this game the most?…….have your say.

Note: please, let’s keep the discussion to football; I am sick of attempts to drag us to discuss other non-football issues.