Booed and frozen out by Habib Beye, the former Marseille head coach, Himad Abdelli has established himself as a starter in Marseille before being called up by Algeria for the double header against Togo on 14 and 17 November.
Himad Abdelli’s trajectory at Marseille has changed direction. Handed a starting role as playmaker in the 4-3-3 of Marseille head coach Bruno Genesio for the 2-1 win at Lens, the attacking midfielder has featured in all nine of his club’s league matches this season, according to Footafrica.net.
Signed for €2.75m from Angers, the player had nevertheless endured a difficult first six months. Booed and frozen out by Habib Beye after an altercation in late April, he was kept away from the squad. Now he has been called up by Algeria: he is part of the 26-man squad named by Algeria head coach Brahim Hemdani to face Togo.
A 4-3-3 that opens doors for him
At Lens, Bruno Genesio handed him the playmaker role in a 4-3-3. The 2-1 success extends a run of five consecutive Marseille wins in Ligue 1, according to Footafrica.net.
Across the campaign, Abdelli has taken part in all nine of Marseille’s league matches. Those numbers contrast sharply with the start of his spell in Provence, marked by boos from part of the crowd.
A €2.75m signing
Marseille had paid €2.75m to bring him in from Angers. His first six months, marked by whistles and a freeze-out ordered by Habib Beye after an altercation in late April, were difficult.
The available sources do not mention the change of head coach as the reason for his return to the starting XI. They note only his starting role under Bruno Genesio, which allowed him to turn around a situation that had gone badly wrong.
Togo first, then a place to claim
Abdelli has been called up by Algeria for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. The first leg is played on Saturday 14 November at 20:00, the return on Tuesday 17 November at 17:00, according to the schedule published by Marseille.
Amine Gouiri, also an Algeria international, is expected with the national team for the two matches, om.fr reports. As things stand, there is nothing to suggest Abdelli will start against Togo.