When Two Arab Giants Met: Algeria's Aït Nouri Reflects on a Tough Saudi Test

Algeria’s Aït Nouri, a star for Manchester City, says facing Saudi Arabia was extremely tough, applauding the level shown by the Greens on the night.

Nouri played a role in Algeria’s thrilling 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, in a friendly held at the Al-Enmaa Stadium in Jeddah, as both sides tested themselves ahead of bigger dates.

“It was a very tough match against a top side, and we knew it would be difficult,” he said, commending the quality of all the Green players.

He added, “Proud to beat a big nation like Saudi; playing them wasn’t easy, but we managed to score twice and leave with the victory.”

Nouri continued, “The atmosphere in the stadium was fantastic, and the fans made a difference. Overall, we were happy to take on this challenge.”

He also noted, “Saudi football has evolved a lot; the league is stronger. I even watched some of their games in my spare time, and the presence of the Algerian duo Riyad Mahrez and Houssem Aouar made me care more about the competition.”

How did the Saudi team fare against Algeria?

Despite Nouri’s praise, Saudi Arabia appeared dull and unsettled against Algeria, reflecting a visible drop in team unity and in attack-to-midfield coordination.

The Greens forced the tempo early, with Saudi’s identity and rhythm lacking in several phases of the match. The forward line seemed isolated from the midfield, making it hard to threaten the Algerian goal beyond a few isolated moments.

Defensively, the Saudis showed more obvious vulnerabilities. Their pressing lacked cohesion, giving Algeria space to operate and create chances. They lost several duels and showed slow transitions, as if the wheels were grinding rather than turning smoothly.

Physically, the Saudi side seemed to be a step behind, with slower coverages and positioning errors that allowed Algeria to control large portions of the game. Spirit and bite were not consistent, and the performance did not reflect the peak level the team is capable of reaching against a quality opponent.

In short, Saudi Arabia walked onto the pitch without a clearly defined identity or a consistent solution set, and the result underscored the depth of work required to reclaim form before major fixtures ahead.

What did Saudi deliver during the international break?

The Saudis played two friendlies during the break: a 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast, followed by the 0-2 defeat to Algeria. This came after they had already clinched a place at the 2026 World Cup in a separate set of qualifying results, beating Indonesia 3-2 and drawing with Iraq in the Asian play-offs.

The purpose of facing Ivory Coast and Algeria was to sharpen readiness for the upcoming Arab Cup in Qatar, a tournament seen as a crucial platform to test players and ideas against a range of opponents.

Hard challenges lie ahead

Entering this year’s Arab Cup with clear ambitions, the Saudi side aims not only to contend for the title but also to use the tournament as a key prep stage for the World Cup. The competition will allow the team to test different players and tactical approaches against varied opposition, building cohesion and trust under pressure.

The Arab Cup will also serve as a proving ground for younger talents who could become part of the final World Cup squad, while giving the coaching staff a chance to assess how the team deals with different styles—defensive blocks, high-pressing sides, and fast counters—and to refine transitions and defensive organization.

Beyond the on-pitch tests, the tournament offers a chance to address individual and collective mistakes, especially in midfield control, tempo changes, and defensive structure. A stronger collective understanding could pay dividends when the team meets global contenders on the world stage.

Ultimately, the Arab Cup isn’t just an extra trophy; it’s a pivotal step toward readiness for the World Cup, a stage where every minute counts and every mistake is magnified. The Saudis will be hoping that the lessons learned in Qatar and beyond translate into sharper performance when it matters most.

Punchline time from a sniper’s notebook: If patience is a virtue, Saudi defense must be enrolled in a doctoral program—because it’s taking forever to grant a clean sheet. And if pace is life, their counter-attacks must be driving to the airport to catch a flight before the whistle even blows.”