Farès Chaïbi and Ibrahim Maza begin Champions League journeys as Algerians mark European stage

Farès Chaïbi and Ibrahim Maza are set for their first taste of Champions League football tonight, as both Algerian internationals prepare to represent their clubs on Europe’s biggest stage.

At 23, Chaïbi has already accumulated valuable experience in European competition with Eintracht Frankfurt, featuring 17 times in the Europa League and Europa Conference League.

But this evening marks a new chapter, with the midfielder making his Champions League debut at Deutsche Bank Park against Galatasaray.

Frankfurt and the Turkish side last met in 1992, when Galatasaray triumphed 1-0 in the UEFA Cup.

Chaïbi has quickly established himself as a regular under coach Dino Toppmöller, starting all three Bundesliga matches so far in a deep midfield role.

Positioned just ahead of the defence, he has been praised for his consistency and adaptability, which now earns him the chance to anchor Frankfurt’s midfield against the Turkish champions.

For Maza, the road has been more complicated.

The 19-year-old has seen his minutes diminish sharply since the season’s opening day, when he played 84 minutes against Hoffenheim.

Reduced to just four minutes against Werder Bremen and an unused substitute against Leverkusen, the forward is unlikely to start in Copenhagen but remains an option from the bench for coach Kasper Hjulmand.

Bayer Leverkusen’s meeting with FC Copenhagen will be the clubs’ third European encounter, their last ending in a 4-0 win for the Germans in 2014.

Elsewhere among Algerians in this Champions League opening round, Amine Gouiri endured a difficult night for Marseille.

Introduced late against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, the forward was unable to influence the game as OM fell to a 2-1 defeat, settled by a late penalty.

The penalty is shameful in my eyes, because it didn’t exist. I regret it and I would have said so even if it had been in my favour, Marseille’s Italian coach complained afterwards.

Adem Zorgane enjoyed a more promising debut in the competition, starting in midfield and helping Union Saint-Gilloise to a surprise 3-1 win at PSV Eindhoven.

Meanwhile, Ramy Bensebaïni was again decisive for Borussia Dortmund, scoring from the penalty spot against Juventus in Turin.

His 86th-minute strike seemed to have sealed victory, but Juventus staged a dramatic comeback, equalising deep into stoppage time for a 4-4 draw.

For Chaïbi and Maza, tonight represents the beginning of a new challenge at the highest level.

Their performances will be closely watched as Algerian players continue to leave their mark on Europe’s premier competition.