In his final club appearance before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Luca Zidane delivered a performance that perfectly encapsulated his unique profile as a modern goalkeeper. While his club, Granada CF, fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Sporting Gijón, the 27-year-old’s display offered a compelling case study for Algerian national team coach Djamel Belmadi, who must decide his starting goalkeeper for the continental tournament.
The Modern Sweeper-Keeper: A Tactical Asset
Zidane, son of the legendary Zinedine, is redefining the expectations for a goalkeeper in his national team setup. His most standout attribute is not a reflex save, but his exceptional, cultured footwork. Against Gijón, he functioned as a de facto eleventh outfield player in Granada’s build-up phase. This skill is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for teams that want to play out from the back under pressure. For Algeria, a side that favors possession and progressive play, a goalkeeper with Zidane’s passing range can be the key to bypassing an opponent’s first line of press and initiating attacks from deep. This technical prowess makes him a stark contrast to more traditional, shot-stopping focused keepers and could be the decisive factor in his selection.
Shot-Stopping Under the Microscope
Beyond his feet, Zidane also demonstrated his shot-stopping ability with two crucial, high-quality saves to keep Granada in the match. These interventions highlight his core goalkeeping fundamentals and athleticism. However, the match also exposed a potential vulnerability. The winning goal, a strike from Gelabert, saw Zidane seemingly caught out by the ball’s trajectory and bounce, leaving him slightly short in his dive. This moment is a critical teaching point: at AFCON, on potentially unpredictable pitches and against strikers with unique shooting techniques, consistency in reading the ball’s flight is paramount. A top international keeper must marry technical skill with unwavering concentration and judgment.
Context: Club Crisis vs. National Ambition
The defeat deepens the crisis for Granada, who sit 19th in La Liga. Yet, this club struggle underscores the different mental challenge Zidane now faces. He must immediately transition from a relegation battle to the high-stakes, win-or-go-home environment of a major tournament. This shift requires significant psychological resilience. For Algeria, the question is whether Zidane can compartmentalize his club form and elevate his game on the continental stage. His performance, a mix of brilliant distribution and one costly moment, reflects this very dichotomy.
The Road to AFCON: What This Means for Algeria
This match was Zidane’s final audition. It provided Belmadi with clear evidence: Zidane offers a tactical advantage with his feet that can enhance Algeria’s preferred style of play. However, it also served as a reminder that his shot-stopping must be error-free under the intense spotlight of AFCON. The competition for the number one shirt is likely fierce. Does Belmadi prioritize the modern, build-up qualities Zidane provides, or opt for a safer, more conventional shot-stopper? Zidane’s performance against Gijón didn’t definitively answer that question, but it framed the debate perfectly. His success in Ivory Coast may hinge on his ability to ensure his standout strengths consistently outweigh any momentary lapses.
Analysis adapted from original reporting by DZfoot.