Algeria’s midfield imbalance exposed in Burundi draw

Algeria’s 2-2 draw with Burundi in the CAN 2027 qualifiers highlighted a major problem for Brahim Hemdani: the absence of a specialist defensive midfielder to protect the back four.

The Algerian side found itself two goals down after only 12 minutes in Tuesday’s match, before Mohamed Bachir Belloumi and Adil Boulbina rescued a point. Yet behind the comeback, the game exposed significant weaknesses in Hemdani’s starting XI.

The midfield imbalance was among the clearest concerns. With Algeria’s defence looking unsettled and its attack isolated for long periods, Burundi repeatedly found space through the centre of the pitch. The performance raised an important question for the Verts: who can provide consistent protection in front of the defence?

Hemdani’s 4-2-3-1 system began with Himad Abdelli and Fares Chaibi operating in the two deeper midfield positions. Both players offer technical quality, but neither is a natural holding midfielder accustomed to screening the defence, winning duels and stopping opposition counter-attacks.

Abdelli is more suited to acting as a deep-lying playmaker who can move the ball forward, while Chaibi looks to advance and create opportunities. That combination left Algeria without a dedicated ball-winner in the centre.

Burundi therefore managed to bypass Algeria’s first line of pressure too easily. Individual mistakes by Chaibi and Ramy Bensebaini contributed directly to the first two goals, but those errors also reflected a wider structural problem.

Abdelli went off injured, and Adem Zorgane brought greater control and improved direction to Algeria’s play after coming on. However, he too is primarily an organiser rather than a specialist ball-recoverer.

The issue did not begin in Bujumbura. Since Adlene Guedioura retired, Algeria have not found a midfielder who can combine power, defensive impact and balance in front of the back four.

Hemdani’s options were further limited by the absences of Nabil Bentaleb and Hicham Boudaoui. Even their return would not completely settle the debate. Ismael Bennacer still needs to regain continuity, while Ramiz Zerrouki has never established himself for an extended period as the undisputed answer in the role.

There is an irony in the situation. Hemdani had set about rebuilding his midfield with more creative profiles, including Abdelli, Aouchiche and Bourabaa, all of whom can operate between the lines and make forward runs. The Burundi match showed, however, that technical quality alone is not enough when no player is specifically responsible for the defensive work.

Promising MC Alger midfielder Abdelouahab Satta has some of the qualities required, and Hemdani has known him since the Mediterranean Games. But his limited experience at the highest level makes him more a potential solution for the future than an immediate answer.

In the short term, Hemdani must either identify the right player from his squad or change the system. A three-man midfield could distribute responsibilities more effectively and prevent two creative players from being left to protect the entire team.

The draw in Bujumbura may prove to be one of the early defining lessons of Hemdani’s tenure: Algeria have talented midfielders, but still lack the player prepared to do the work others do not.