Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic has come under fire in Germany over his handling of Hertha Berlin midfielder Ibrahim Maza during the national team’s recent training camp.
Concerns over fatigue and playing time
German publication Kicker has strongly criticized Petkovic for what it describes as poor management of Maza’s workload.
According to the outlet, the 19-year-old endured significant travel and fatigue during Algeria’s World Cup qualifiers but saw little time on the pitch.
Maza was named in the squad for the matches against Botswana and Mozambique, yet he remained an unused substitute in the first game before being given just ten minutes in the second at the Hocine-Aït-Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou.
The report highlights concerns about the toll this could take on Maza upon his return to club football.
It questions whether the young midfielder, who had been in excellent form for Hertha Berlin, will be in peak condition following his international commitments.
Long-distance travel and limited minutes
Kicker specifically noted the demanding nature of Maza’s travel schedule, pointing out that he endured a round-trip to Botswana before flying back to Germany from Algeria.
“He is on his way to participate in the World Cup with Algeria, but he also wants to win with Hertha Berlin against Karlsruhe on Saturday. The question is: what physical condition will Ibrahim Maza be in after all these trips?” the report questioned.
The publication further emphasized the midfielder’s disrupted preparation upon his return, stating: “While his teammates trained on Wednesday, Maza was still on a plane.
He traveled thousands of kilometers and only played a few minutes for Algeria.
One of Hertha Berlin’s best young talents only appeared in the match against Mozambique from the 84th minute.
Fierce competition in Algeria’s attack
Despite its criticism, Kicker acknowledged that Maza faces stiff competition in Algeria’s attacking ranks.
With established players such as Mohamed Amoura, Riyad Mahrez, and Amine Gouiri ahead of him, breaking into the starting lineup is no easy task.
“Maza still has to earn his place in a top-flight Algerian attack, which features elite players like Amoura, Mahrez, and Gouiri,” the report noted.
However, it also underlined his importance to Hertha Berlin, especially after his standout performance in a 5-1 victory over Braunschweig before the international break.
Hertha Berlin head coach Stefan Leitl is now tasked with evaluating Maza’s fitness as he returns to club duty following his taxing international schedule.
Scheduling and player welfare
Beyond Maza’s limited playing time, Kicker could have also addressed another issue: the timing of the Botswana match. A 3 p.m. kickoff in high temperatures presents additional physical challenges for players, increasing fatigue, dehydration risk, and affecting overall match intensity.
While Maza was spared from playing in these conditions, the broader issue of scheduling matches in extreme heat remains a point of debate in international football.
The situation echoes past controversies in major tournaments, where high temperatures have raised concerns about player welfare.
Ensuring that climatic conditions are properly considered in fixture planning is crucial for maintaining both performance levels and player health.
