Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Algeria’s all-time top scorer Islam Slimani has launched a scathing attack on Switzerland’s Desert Warriors coach Vladimir Petkovic following their exit from the 2026 World Cup round of 32, citing the team’s lack of technical identity against Switzerland.
Algeria bowed out of the tournament after a two-goal loss to Switzerland in a game that raised many questions about the technical performance and the coaching staff’s handling of the clash.
Soleimani told BeIN Sports that the team performed completely differently than in previous matches, noting that the decision to rely on a fake striker confused the team and caused it to lose its personality on the pitch.
He added: “I don’t understand why the method of play has changed in a game of this size and have the players had enough time to train with this method. The constant changes in formation and plan from one game to another make it difficult for the team to be stable.”
Read also… Officially… Mahrez ends international career after World Cup shock
The former Algeria striker believed that the crisis was not only related to the game against Switzerland, but also extends to the whole period, stressing that the team has not managed to form a clear artistic identity in the last two years due to the many changes in the style of play and the lack of reliance on a fixed group of players.
Slimani also noted that defensive mistakes were evident during the game, but he emphasized that the technical staff did not deal with them properly, considering that Petkovic’s substitutions did not give the team any additions or offensive solutions that could change the course of the game, explaining;
He concluded his statements by emphasizing that the coach’s role is not limited to making a technical plan, but also psychologically, saying: “Football players need a coach who gives them confidence and motivates them in matches like this, because the moral aspect makes as much difference in big tournaments as the tactical aspect.”
