Lucas Alcaraz has a difficult task lying ahead
On April 10 of 2017, Lucas Alcaraz was selected as the new head coach of the Algerian national football team.
This appointment arrived after the Algerian national side had suffered a 1-3 defeat against Nigeria and a 1-1 draw with Cameroon in the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifications.
Upon being appointed with his new position, the 51 year old Spanish manager outlined his vision and plans as Lucas Alcaraz said:
¨We haven’t come here to impose our way of doing things. We want to integrate our ideas. Before coaching in La Liga I didn’t have any experience either. I have never run a national team but I’m not scared. Every nation’s football has its own qualities. We are going to bring our ideas while we learn about Algerian football. I am not hard, I am not soft, I am rigorous, I give and I demand¨
¨I am going to analyze the needs of the team before I chose the player. Our duty is to see all Algerian players wherever they come from. Our choice will be made according to their form¨
The supporters, players and technical staff of Algeria are hoping that the national side can qualify for their 3rd FIFA World Cup after having already qualified for the 2010 and 2014 editions of the worldwide football competition.
If Algeria is able to qualify for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup then it will be something historic for Algeria as they have never in their history been able to successively do it on 3 ocassions.
Accomplishing this task however, will be very complicated as Algeria are currently positioned at the bottom of group B of the CAF group after having failing to secure a single victory in their 2 opening matches against Cameroon and Nigeria.
The next qualification match of Algeria for the 2018 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place on September 2 as the team of Lucas Alcaraz faces off with Zambia and a victory is very needed for Algeria if they want to keep their hopes of qualifying alive.