The 2024/25 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League has entered what is usually known as the enterprise finish of the competitors with solely eight groups remaining to compete within the Quarterfinals of the competitors.
Orlando Pirates have touched down Algiers forward of their essential first-leg conflict towards Algerian giants MC Alger.
Will probably be the primary assembly between these two groups face one another in any type of continental soccer.
So, who’re MC Alger and what can Jose Riveiro’s males count on when the 2 Titans lock horns on the Stade du Juillet 1962 on Tuesday night time? Orlandopiratesfc.com takes a deep dive into attempting to reply that query.
Present Kind (Final 5 Video games) : L, W, W, W, D
MC Alger sits atop of the Algerian Ligue 1 desk with 41 factors after twenty video games performed. Head Coach Khaled Ben Yahia and his males have been dominating the home competitors that has seen them lose solely as soon as within the competitors and that was way back to November 2024 the place they misplaced 3-1 to CR Belouizdad.
Extra just lately, MC Alger are undefeated of their final 4 aggressive matches – dropping solely as soon as within the Algerian Cup towards that crew once more CR Belouizdad.
Of their final 5 aggressive matches, the Algerians have scored 9 objectives and conceded 5 instances. With their final match coming performed on March 15, the hosts have been concerned with some pleasant matches in preparation for Tuesday nights’ encounter.
For his or her last preparation match, MC Alger received 2-1 towards Paradou AC, with objectives coming from Mohamed Bangoura and Kamel Hamidi.
Water-tight Defence
Relating to this years’ TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, MC Alger are primary in terms of least objectives conceded. The defensive duo of Ayoub Abdellaoui and Ayoub Ghezala has solely been breached twice within the competitors, proving a tough nut to crack – with solely Al Hilal in a position to rating towards them. Whereas TP Mazembe and Younger Africans performed over 180 minutes of soccer every with out discovering the again of the web.
Over and above the qualities that Abdellaoui and Ghezala convey to the Algerian outfits defence, what differentiates them from most groups on this years’ competitors is how they defend as a unit. The likes of Mohamed Benkhemassa and Akram Bouras do an excellent job in defending the again 4.
Key Gamers
Mohamed Halaïmia: Reda is a modern-day wing again in that he’s equally proficient in defence as he’s in assault. The 28-year-old has scored 5 objectives in 18 video games for his membership to this point this season. He’s the membership’s high objective scorer and never solely that however in terms of set items – particularly corners, Reda can use each his left and proper foot with equal skill.
Zakaria Naidji: Is the center of the MC Alger crew. He has vitality to run all through the match. Concerned in each assault and defensive duties. He ranks primary in his crew and third general within the Champions League when it comes to Probabilities Created per recreation (2.9 per 90)
Notable Point out – Mohamed Bangoura: The younger striker from Guinea is a worthy point out in gamers to be careful for on Tuesday. The 20-year-old who was just lately signed from Guinean membership Hafia, has hit the bottom working at his new membership and he appears to have added a unique dimension to the MC Alger assault.
Fast One-Two
- The membership was fashioned in 1921 and though they’re generally generally known as MC Alger or MCA, the membership’s full identify is Mouloudia membership d’Alger.
- MC Alger was the primary Algerian membership to carry the CAF Champions Cup in 1976.
- The house stadium of MC Alger is Ali Pointe Stadium (40 000-seater) nonetheless for the CAF Champions League they’ve been utilizing the Stade du Juillet 1962 (also called the 5 July 1962 Stadium (65 000-seater).
- MC Alger rank 3rd when it comes to the variety of photographs that they restrict opponents. On common, they restrict groups to 9.5 photographs per recreation. ES Tunis are primary with 8.3 photographs, adopted by Younger Africans with 9.3 photographs per recreation.
- MC Alger ranks 1st in terms of limiting opponents to photographs on course with a median of 2.17 photographs on course per recreation
