Former Ivory Coast’s coach Nouzaret: Pressure is rather on the Elephants' shoulders

80% of the present line –up of the Ivory Cost squad is not stranger to the French coach Robert Nouzaret who worked six long years in this country between the periods 1996- 1998 and 2000-2004. For this reason, Echourok got in touch with him to get his analysis of the match that will oppose his former team to the Fennecs of Algeria.

• Q: Considering you long experience with Ivory Coast squad, could you inform us about their qualities ahead of the decisive match versus Algeria?
• A: You are right to say that I know them perfectly because I contributed to the emergence of 80% of the present players. Ivory Cost have improved over these past few years and become one of the bests in the world not only in Africa. Most of the elements play in prestigious clubs all over Europe that’s why the Elephants have reached a high level of respectability. As to your question, I would say that there isn’t almost any flaw in this team that’s why I advise the Fennecs to be very careful.
• Q: If you were the Algerian coach Rabah Saadane , what would be your strategy?
• A: Certainly, to tighten the defence line and closely mark their forwards, which I consider, is the lethal arm of this squad… The Algerian players have to avoid mistakes in their zone.
• Q: Do we have to understand that playing forward would be a risk for Algeria?
• A:  I didn’t say that but the Algeria have to secure their defence before thinking of attacking, because it’s very tough for them to handle the Elephants’ strikers if they venture in their zone. They have to annihilate Ivory Coast’s attacks and counter strike rapidly to surprise them.
• Q: Considering the Greens’ performances in this tournament, do you think that they can do something?
• A: I think that the match versus Ivory Coast will be the real test for Algeria in this tournament because this is a reference match. Do you agree that the elephants are not Mali or Angola, that’s why the task won’t be easy for your national squad.
• Q: Do we have to understand that the Algerian chances are weak?
• A: We have to be realistic and say that Ivory Coast have better chances to pass to the semi-finals, but since nothing is written in football I would say that everything is possible in this match.