CHAN 2022 - Madjid Bougherra: "We're missing that benchmark performance"

Algeria won all three of their group games. How are you approaching this match against Ivory Coast?

Madjid Bougherra: It's a great tie. Now we get down to the business end. There were positives and negatives in the group stage. This match will inevitably be decisive. It's a tough game for both teams and it's going to be played at a high level. The crowd will turn out as well, and for that we want to thank the supporters. Tickets sold out in just 5 hours. That shows the excitement around the team and this CHAN. We have a calm group that is approaching this match well.

Can Algeria gain an advantage from the current weather conditions?

It's true that it's cold. North Africa is perhaps more used to this climate, but at this stage of the competition it really makes no difference. In every team the players are determined. They want to go all the way and show what they can do. All the teams are motivated, whatever the conditions.

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Playing in front of their own fans, Algeria will inevitably be favourites. How do you handle that pressure?

We will be playing without pressure. The players handled it well in the group stage. Pressure is part of a footballer's daily life. You have to turn it into positive pressure. I've sensed my players are relaxed and focused in recent days. That's the key to showing your qualities on the pitch. I've told the players to let go and give everything. There's no pressure to feel.

Are you wary of Ivory Coast, who cut loose in their last game?

Madjid Bougherra: They're a team growing in strength, even if we saw some problems with finishing early in the competition. But that was the case for other teams too. But we have no fear and the players are ready. To go all the way, you have to play this kind of match. That's where you see what the players are capable of. If anything, I'm afraid of my own players, in inverted commas. What matters to me is that they're ready for this match.

Ivory Coast conceded two goals in the group stage, while Algeria have yet to concede. Is that an advantage?

Every match has its own truth. It's a different competition starting now. Even we are not immune. They have conceded goals, but tomorrow they could come and not concede. Our job is above all to analyse them so we can find the weaknesses. And we're working on that.

What are your expectations for this match?

Madjid Bougherra: At the start of this competition we haven't seen an "Algerian-style" game. The players have mainly been focused on tactical discipline. But we can do better. We're missing that benchmark performance. I hope that if we qualify, this will be precisely the match that serves as the benchmark. For me, the winner will be one of the favourites for the final.

Have you thought about the possibility that the game goes beyond 90 minutes and ends in a penalty shootout?

These are factors that are inevitably taken into account now. We have to work on those aspects to anticipate possible scenarios. But the aim is to win in normal time. It will be a great battle, but the players know they have to give everything for 90 minutes to secure qualification before that.