Former Algerian football star Reda Mattem recently commented on the management of the national team by new coach Vladimir Petkovic, highlighting the controversial exclusion of Riyad Mahrez during the last gathering.
In an interview with “Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed” media, Mattem supported Petkovic’s decision, citing Mahrez’s declining performances in the national team in recent years. He described Mahrez’s contributions as insufficient, noting that he hadn’t scored any goals or provided assists in recent Africa Cup of Nations competitions.
While acknowledging Mahrez’s past achievements, Mattem emphasized the crucial importance of statistics in modern football, stating that the numbers speak for themselves regarding the need for selection based on current player performance.
“Vladimir Petkovic is a high-level coach, and the same applies to his assistants. I do not doubt Riyad Mahrez’s abilities and talent, but his performances with the Algerian national team over the past two years have been very weak, especially in the last two Africa Cup of Nations editions where he did not score goals or make decisive passes that could guarantee his place in the team,” he said.
Regarding Petkovic, Mattem praised his strong personality and initial impact on the team, despite the loss to Guinea. He highlighted Algeria’s impressive comeback in their match against Uganda, where they secured a crucial victory, thus restoring their momentum in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Mattem concluded by expressing confidence that Petkovic, with more time and familiarity with the team, will be able to optimize player performances and address the identified shortcomings in the upcoming stages and matches.
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