UEFA Champions League: Riyad Mahrez now expected on the roof of Europe
Riyad Mahrez against Paris Saint-Germain.
© AFP - ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT
Text by: Farid Achache Follow
4 min
Champion of England this season with Manchester City, the Algerian international Riyad Mahrez will face Chelsea on Saturday May 29 to try to afford the Cup with big ears.
The 2019 African champion could become the second Algerian player to win a European title after Rabah Madjer in 1987.
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After ten years of waiting for coach Pep Guardiola and thirteen for City owners, the Champions League final is finally open to them.
A golden opportunity, for which the Citizens have shown that they are armed.
In particular with the Algerian international Riyad Mahrez.
Goalscorer from a free kick in the semi-final against
Paris Saint-Germain
, Riyad Mahrez had again found the frame twice for Manchester City in the return match against (2-0).
A double from Fennec who sent the English for the first time to the final of the Champions League.
The
30-year-old
native of Sarcelles
in the Paris suburbs has the chance of his life.
Riyad Mahrez (C) during the CAN 2019 victory in Cairo.
AFP
A progression that does not surprise me Rabah Madjer
After landing on the roof of England for the third time, he now dreams of the roof of Europe on May 29 against Chelsea.
He could join his illustrious compatriot Rabah Madjer, who had played and won a C1 final 34 years ago, in Vienna against Bayern Munich and by making himself the author of the gesture that made him famous.
"
It can only be a huge pride to see another Algerian player play a final of the most beautiful of competitions,
" said the former coach of the Greens in an interview with Foot 365. And add: "
He has progressed and his progress does not surprise me.
For having had him as a player in the selection
(between 2017 and 2018, editor's note),
he is a very serious boy and also ambitious. Joining a big club like Manchester City and playing there regularly has allowed him to reveal himself, to assert himself and to flourish.
"
Considered one of the
best players in Africa
and the Premier League, Riyad Mahrez played ten years ago in the CFA with the Le Havre reserve. At the time, did he have in mind the idea of evolving in a big club with a European title in the key a decade later? “
I would have believed it. Because I always had a lot of ambitions, I always thought that I was going to end up being able to score in the quarterfinals or semi-finals of the Champions League
, ”confided
the African champion
to daily
L'Équipe
. Maturity is also a weapon for the Algerian international. "
This may be the season when I feel the best on the pitch.
My game has evolved, I feel more complete.
I'm less wisp, wanting to dribble everyone
, ”he said.
After complicated first steps and joker status with Manchester City, Riyad Mahrez is aiming for the European Grail.
Then, the captain of Algeria will have in mind a qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
But one thing at a time.
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