It has been 24 lengthy years since Morocco final tasted victory in a World Cup finals match: France 1998 on that event, with solely a single level claimed in Russia 4 years in the past – the primary time that they had reached the event since. Now, although, it’s back-to-back {qualifications} and each motive to consider they’ll obtain not less than some success in Qatar with a strong-looking squad.
Results have been just about spot-on for the Atlas Lions since effectively earlier than the pandemic; they didn’t lose a recreation in 90 minutes between October 2019 and a pleasant in June of this 12 months, with their solely defeats in that interval being a penalty shootout loss within the Arab Cup and one other to Egypt in additional time on the Afcon in January.
Wins over South Africa and Chile are confidence-boosting, although they had been hammered by USA too – it’s clear Morocco have not less than a staff who can compete on their day for a optimistic end result however they have to be near at their finest for it to occur. European-based stars from Sevilla, Bayern Munich, Besiktas, Maseille, Chelsea and PSG present they’ve real high skills accessible to them however there’s nonetheless difficulties for head coach Walid Regragui to beat.
He was solely appointed in August after Vahid Halilhodzic was sacked because of “differences…on the best way to prepare the national team”, that means just some months for the brand new boss to get the staff accustomed to his type and alternatives – which now embrace Hakim Ziyech once more, after he dominated out enjoying additional for Halilhodzic.
Here is all the pieces you should know:
Group fixtures (all occasions GMT)
Wednesday 23 November: Morocco vs Croatia – 10:00
Sunday 27 November: Belgium vs Morocco – 13:00
Thursday 1 December: Canada vs Morocco – 15:00
Predicted squad
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Sevilla), Munir Mohamedi (Al Wehda), Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (Wydad AC)
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (PSG), Noussair Mazraoui (Bayern Munich), Roman Saiss (Besiktas), Nayef Aguerd (West Ham), Adam Masina (Udinese), Jawad El Yamiq (Real Valladolid), Achraf Dari (Brest), Samy Mmaee (Ferencvaros)
Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina), Younes Belhanda (Adana Demirspor), Amine Harit (Marseille), Azzedine Ounahi (Angers), Ilias Chair (QPR), Selim Amallah (Standard Liege), Imran Louza (Watford), Faycal Fajr (Al Wehda)
Forwards: Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea), Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla), Ayoub El Kaabi (Hatayspor), Abde Ezzalzouli (Osasuna), Sofiane Boufal (Angers), Munir El Haddadi (Getafe), Zakaria Aboukhlal (Toulouse)
Ones to look at
Star – Achraf Hakimi: One of the European recreation’s most explosive and efficient full-backs is PSG’s Hakimi; equally snug on each side of defence, he’s a key a part of the build-up play and an attacking outlet for Morocco. Naturally, he’ll should be on high of recreation defensively too, however leaving him area to race into down the channel ensures the staff nice supply within the remaining third.
Breakout expertise – Abde Ezzalzouli: If the brand new supervisor is courageous (or determined), this unbelievable prospect may begin the odd recreation. More doubtless he is perhaps used as a significant influence possibility off the bench. His shut management and ridiculously good dribbling abilities make him so arduous for tiring defences to cease, however the on-loan Barcelona 20-year-old remains to be susceptible to racing down cul-de-sacs and forgetting to truly produce a cross or cross on the finish of his runs at current. An eye-catching match-changer, however nonetheless a bit hit-or-miss – he may flip a match or two on its head at these finals although.
Odds to win the World Cup (taken from Betfair)
200/1
Prediction
Morocco will really feel they’ve an affordable shout at inflicting an upset and getting by means of the group stage, however they’ll should be all-in on getting a optimistic end result of their first recreation for that. Keep themselves alive till the ultimate spherical of video games after they face Canada and something may occur – however even only a single victory would signify a significant and important step ahead, the most important one in a era. Knocked out within the group stage.
Source: www.unbiased.co.uk