Aissa Mandi faces first difficult spell since Algeria retirement

Aissa Mandi has been dropped to the bench by Levante after starting the club’s first six La Liga matches, marking his first difficult period since ending his international career with Algeria.

The former captain watched the entirety of Levante’s past two games from the sidelines: the dramatic 3-3 draw with Sevilla and the 1-1 draw away to Deportivo La Coruna.

Manager Luis Castro selected Adrian de la Fuente and young defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe in central defence for both matches. The consecutive omissions represent an early warning for Mandi, who joined Levante to provide experience and leadership.

The situation is a sharp contrast to last season, when Mandi enjoyed an outstanding campaign with Lille. Despite Algeria’s difficult World Cup, the defender was voted the club’s best player by Lille supporters.

His contract with Lille was not extended, and Mandi subsequently joined Levante on a free transfer on a two-year deal. The move took him back to a league he knows well after previous spells with Real Betis and Villarreal.

Mandi, who will turn 35 soon, could potentially have been preparing for another Champions League campaign with Lille. Instead, he is now involved in a battle for survival with Levante, who sit 17th in La Liga.

For a player with his experience and whose club form remained strong only a few months ago, the prospect of ending his European career quietly at the bottom end of the Spanish league would represent an uncomfortable outcome.

Three months ago, Mandi brought to an end a 12-year career with Algeria, a decision that was expected to allow him to focus fully on his final club challenge.

Speaking on the Kampo podcast after announcing his international retirement, he said criticism had never affected him and was not the reason for his departure from the national team.

“I have always received criticism,” Mandi said, adding that a professional must know how to take a step back and maintain perspective.

His current situation offers another test of that approach. Freed from the travel and pressure associated with international football, he should theoretically have more time to recover and work towards regaining his place in the Levante side.

This first spell of adversity will be closely watched. Mandi has made more than 200 appearances in La Liga and possesses a level of experience few of his current competitors can match.

Algeria supporters, who could be demanding of him during his international career, have not forgotten their former captain and record appearance-holder. His retirement has also left Algeria with a major defensive rebuilding task.

Mandi will now hope to apply his own philosophy of perspective once again and prevent his European story from fading away quietly.