National team coach Vladimir Petkovic has asserted that the Algerian national team deservedly earned their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, following a hard-fought victory against DR Congo. He praised the collective performance and spirit of the players on the field.
During the post-match press conference, Petkovic stated: “It was a difficult match, but we deserved to qualify. I thank the players for their performance. We controlled the flow of the game despite some problems we faced, and we managed to deal with them in a timely manner.”
The coach of the ‘Fennecs’ added that the most important thing at this stage is achieving the desired goal, emphasizing: “We secured qualification, and this gives us a great morale boost before the challenges ahead.”
Petkovic lauded the significant role played by the substitutes throughout the team’s journey in the continental tournament, considering that the strength of the group and the diversity of solutions were among the key factors in reaching the quarter-finals. He said: “The bench is very important. We have a strong group, and most of the players participated during the first three matches, which reflects the spirit of positive competition within the team.”
In the same context, Petkovic touched on the difficulty of making substitutions at this stage of the competition, explaining that physical fatigue affected his choices, adding: “The substitutions were not easy because many players were suffering from fatigue, but everyone gave their all.”
Regarding his tactical choices, the national team coach explained that he sought to impose a style of possession and fast play, saying: “We wanted to possess the ball and play quickly, and that’s why we relied on Amoura as a centre-forward. I am happy with what the players presented on the field.”
Petkovic also praised his players’ reaction in the crucial stage of the match, asserting: “We controlled the last 30 minutes of the match and succeeded in scoring the winning goal, and this confirms the team’s character and its ability to decide in difficult moments.”
Regarding the injury of midfielder Ismael Bennacer, who left the match at the beginning of the second half, the national team coach said: “Bennacer felt something during the match. We will conduct medical examinations to determine the nature of the injury and his condition accurately.”
Petkovic concluded his statements by praising the team spirit within the national team, considering that the secret of the ‘Fennecs’ strength lies in the readiness of all the elements, adding: “The value of our team comes from the fact that any player is ready to enter and play at any moment. I am very happy.”
