Aïssa Mandi has played down Algeria’s 4-3 loss to Sweden, urging supporters and media alike not to overreact to what he called a “blow,” but not a disaster.
Speaking in the mixed zone following a dramatic encounter in which the Greens conceded four goals in the first half, Mandi delivered a composed post-match analysis.
The experienced central defender acknowledged the team’s difficulties but rejected any notion that the loss should trigger calls for sweeping changes.
“Sweden isn’t the kind of team we’re used to facing in Africa. We struggled to sort out some things that we then discussed in the locker room,” Mandi admitted. “The second half was better, even though we struggled to get going, but you always have to stay positive. There’s a lot of character and quality in this team, and even at 4-0, we could have made it 4-4.”
Algeria mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, scoring three times, but their resurgence ultimately fell short.
Despite the excitement of the contest, scrutiny turned toward the defensive setup, which was exposed repeatedly in the opening 45 minutes.
Responding to questions about the need for a possible rebuild of the national squad in the wake of the defeat, Mandi was unequivocal.
“Rebuilding the team, you say? I respect your opinion, but when you concede a goal, it’s a defensive effort by the whole team. We aspire to that; the first defenders are the attackers. Rebuilding is a big word; it’s not a defeat that will call everything into question.”
Mandi refrained from singling out any individual player for criticism, apart from noting the penalty conceded. His focus was instead on the collective responsibility for defensive lapses.
“There were no individual errors apart from the penalty, but we struggled to sort out some things in our defensive play. They punished us quickly, but we’ll keep the positives,” he added.
The Villarreal defender was keen to underline the need for resilience and composure as Algeria prepare to return to competitive action in September for the continuation of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
“Now we have to rest and come back even stronger in September for the rest of the World Cup qualifying and to reach it,” Mandi concluded.
Amid the disappointment, Mandi’s message was one of resolve.
Defeat may sting, but Algeria’s ambitions remain firmly intact.
The road to the World Cup continues, and for Mandi and his teammates, this setback is just one step in a longer journey.
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