Morocco-Spain
World Cup 2022: Morocco does not want to regret anything against Spain
Achraf Hakimi (left) and Sofyan Amrabat (centre) celebrate the first goal scored against Belgium by Abdelhamid Sabiri (right).
AP - Christophe Ena
Text by: Farid Achache Follow
2 mins
Spain, contender for the title, will have to be wary of Morocco ready to thwart the forecasts by confirming its good dynamics, in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, on Tuesday, December 6.
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From our special envoy to Qatar,
"
We hope to create a surprise because, to be honest, if we eliminate Spain, it will be a nice surprise
," announced Moroccan coach Walid Regragui at a press conference.
They have the DNA of the big competitions that we don't have, we haven't played in the 1/8 finals for 36 years
(1-0 defeat against the FRG in 1986).
For the moment, there have been no surprises
(in 1/8, editor's note),
the great nations are there
”.
"
It's worth giving the maximum
"
Walid Regragui, who "
likes
" the game of "
possession
" of "
Roja
", hopes that Spain "
will not know what to do with the ball
".
"
New
generation "
Morocco
climbed to the round of 16 for the first time since 1986. They did so by emerging first from a tough Group F, with Croatia, Belgium and Canada, and by conceding a single goal (the best defense of the tournament, tied with Croatia and Brazil).
Today, Walid Regragui believes in Morocco's chances: “
I told the players, it's worth giving the maximum.
But we have to play down the issue so as not to put too much pressure on the players.
Both teams were in the same group at the 2018 World Cup and the Moroccans held the Spaniards 2-2.
“
We trust in ourselves
”
“
Spain is one of the best teams in the world, they know what they are offering and are patient, with possession that hurts the opponent
, explains Walid Regragui.
They have 70% ball possession on average, even having faced Germany or France.
Possession, they will have it, we have to accept it.
We left the ball to Croatia
(0-0)
and Belgium
(2-0 victory).
But Japan won (against Spain, 2-1) with 17% possession, and won with 20% possession against Germany
(2-1).
Saudi Arabia beat Argentina
(2-1)
with 20% possession.
We have confidence in ourselves
”.
The Moroccan coach does not want his team to be complexed against Spain.
“
You have to have ambition.
Maybe in thirty years, Senegal or Morocco will win the World Cup
, ”he says, asking for all the support of the African continent.
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World Cup 2022