AISSA MANDI NEWS

Available for Villarreal Mandi is back with Villarreal and available for Saturday's trip to Barcelona.

Impact Mandi returned early from AFCON as Algeria were knocked out early. While he went a full 90 in each of those games, there's a chance Mandi makes an immediate return to the Villarreal XI, though a trip to Barcelona isn't expected to be kind for anyone on their back line.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Headed to AFCON Mandi was called up for AFCON 2023 with Algeria.

Impact Mandi is set to miss most of January and potentially even later if Algeria make a deep run in AFCON. The defender has been out of the starting XI of late and shouldn't be a major loss in central defense while he is away on national team duty.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Sunday Mandi (ankle) is in the starting XI for Sunday's match versus Real Madrid.

Impact Mandi is back for Villarreal after missing the last six matches with an ankle injury. He had made six starts in eight appearances in La Liga, totaling 16 clearances with two blocks in that span.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to squad list Mandi (ankle) could be an option for Sunday's match against Real Madrid, being named to the traveling squad for the contest.

Impact Mandi looks to make his return after a seven-match absence due to an ankle injury, being named to the squad list for their match against Real Madrid. There is a chance that the defender returns to the starting XI for the contest, but will most likely only be a bench option after such a long absence with a knock.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Left out of squad Mandi (ankle) was not included in the traveling squad for Thursday's matchup with Rennes.

Impact Mandi will be shelved for his sixth consecutive contest due to his lingering ankle problem. Prior to getting hurt, the central defender was an unused substitute in two of his last four matches and made just one start. As such, Mandi is far from a lock for the starting XI even once given the all-clear.

DECEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will miss a couple more weeks Mandi (ankle) will miss the next couple of weeks after picking up an ankle injury during the international break while playing with Algeria, according to Sofiane Benamrouche of the...

Impact Mandi has already missed one match with his current injury and will be out for at least the next two weeks after spraining his ankle while playing with Algeria. He shouldn't be expected to return until around their Dec. 20 match against Celta Vigo, which will be the club's final match before the winter break. When he does return, he should compete for a starting role immediately, having started in eight of the team's 17 contests this season.

NOVEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Still sidelined Thursday Mandi (ankle) was not included in the squad against Panathinaikos on Thursday.

Impact Mandi will miss his second consecutive match due to his lingering ankle problem, raising doubts regarding his availability to face Sevilla on Sunday. Even once cleared to play, Mandi is far from a lock for the starting XI and will likely continue to split time with Matteo Gabbia.

NOVEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Osasuna game Mandi is absent for Sunday's match versus Osasuna.

Impact Mandi will miss his first match of the season because of an injury. Adria Altimira is starting on the right flank.

NOVEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled in cup Mandi returned to the starting XI for Thursday's 5-0 win over Chiclana.

Impact Mandi was relegated to the bench during a 3-2 win over Granada, but returned to the starting XI for the cup. It's not quite clear what Mandi's role is, he opened the season as a starter before being benched for four matches and then started six-of-seven before being benched again. Predicting his week-to-week role is uncertain at best, though Mandi is a stout defender when in the starting XI.

NOVEMBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ends season as backup Mandi started 11 of Villarreal's final 12 games of the season while Raul Albiol dealt with injuries.

Impact Mandi ends the campaign with four clean sheets in 21 La Liga appearances (16 starts) overall, and the 30-year-old center-back's importance to the team only increases as Albiol continues getting older.

JUNE 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Decent performance in draw Mandi recorded one cross (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Valladolid.

Impact Mandi made two tackles, one clearance and won five duels in the match. He has had a lackluster season and has only started on eight occasions. He has also kept only three clean sheets and averages 2.5 clearances and one interception per game.

APRIL 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starts in win Mandi kept a clean sheet and made two interceptions during Monday's 2-0 win over Osasuna.

Impact Mandi was handed the start due to Kiko Femenia's absence through injury and helped his team keep a second clean sheet in their last three matches. Pending the status of Femenia and eventually Juan Foyth (knee), Mandi could see his minutes increase over the next couple of weeks.

OCTOBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

On bench in season finale Mandi was an unused substitute in last weekend's defeat against Barcelona.

Impact Mandi scored a goal and kept five clean sheets in 17 La Liga appearances (14 starts) this campaign as Villarreal's backup to Pau Torres and Raul Albiol in central defense. The 30-year-old could have a bigger role on the team next season if Torres moves on in the summer.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Keeps clean sheet in win Mandi kept a clean sheet with four clearances made during Tuesday's 2-0 win over Valencia.

Impact Mandi has made 10 clearances over the last two matches and started in three straight league games, providing rotation cover for Pau Torres and Raul Albiol in the midst of fixture congestion from a deep run into the UCL. As a result, Mandi is likely to get another chance to start against Deportivo Alaves on Saturday but may have less of a chance to play the previous Wednesday against Liverpool.

APRIL 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Villarreal beats Celta before Champions League trip to Juve

Villarreal is back on the winning path in time for its trip to Italy to face Juventus after beating Celta Vigo 1-0 thanks to Dani Parejo’s goal

MARCH 12, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Leaves for AFCON Mandi has been called up by Algeria to compete in the African Cup of Nations and will miss at least three matches for Villarreal.

Impact Mandi has kept four clean sheets in eight La Liga starts this season as a backup to Pau Torres and Raul Albiol, but he will be unavailable for his club until at least late January while he's with the Algerian National Team.

JANUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Scores opener against Rayo Mandi scored one goal from his only shot, made two tackles (both won), one interception, one clearance and one block in Sunday's 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Mandi scored the opener in the 32nd minute, paving the way for their home win. That was his first goal in the season, and the centerback was also part of the defense that kept the clean sheet. He will now face a tougher matchup at Real Sociedad on Saturday.

DECEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Makes three clearances in win Mandi made one tackle, three clearances and two blocks while helping his side to keep a clean sheet during Sunday's 2-0 win over Betis.

Impact Mandi was very solid on his first meeting with his former team, being the imposing presence Villarreal needs him to be whenever he was called into action. The centre back played the full 90 here, but he's far from guaranteed as a full-time starter. It remains to be seen which will be his status for Oct. 17 home matchup against Osasuna.

OCTOBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Scores own goal in draw Mandi scored an own goal and made two interceptions, three clearances and four blocks in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Atletico Madrid.

Impact Mandi had a game to forget, as he scored an own goal in the 95th minute to give Atletico the late equalizer. The centerback led his side in blocks during the game, though. He will now look to bounce back against Alaves on Sep 11.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bizarre own-goal saves Atlético from Spanish league defeat

Luis Suárez’s first goal of the season wasn’t enough to extend Atlético Madrid’s perfect start in the Spanish league

AUGUST 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Makes four clearances at Espanyol Mandi made one tackle (won) and four clearances and picked up a yellow card in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Espanyol.

Impact Mandi had a good defensive outing and co-led his side in clearances to keep the clean sheet and earn the road draw. But the centerback also received his first yellow card of the season during the match. He will now have a tougher matchup at Atletico on Sunday.

AUGUST 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Keeps clean sheet in debut Mandi kept a clean sheet and put two shots off target during Monday's scoreless draw with Granada.

Impact Mandi partnered with Raul Albiol in the first match of the season and both went the full 90 in keeping their net empty. After joining Villarreal in the summer, Mandi will look to get plenty of playing time on a team in the Champions League, but watch how players are rotated in the lineup between Mandi, Raul Albiol and Pau Torres over the early stages of the season.

AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Late sub Kepa helps Chelsea win UEFA Super Cup on penalties

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was brought on as a late substitute and saved two spot kicks as Chelsea beat Villarreal 6-5 in a penalty shootout to win the UEFA Super Cup

AUGUST 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Signs with Villarreal Mandi signed with Villarreal on Wednesday after leaving Real Betis.

Impact Mandi joins the Yellow Submarines after starting 27 games last season but also having less of a chance to play by the coming campaign. This makes this move a little odd on his end even if it's good for his new club, as Mandi will go from being the third-choice center-back at a club entering European competition to third-choice at a club that just won the Europa League.

JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Atlético held 1-1 at Betis, edges 1 point clear of Madrid

Atlético Madrid has stumbled again in its bid to win a first Spanish league title in seven seasons

APRIL 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS