A solid defense and a swirling attack
The task seemed difficult for Morocco when approaching the matches of group F, one of the most difficult of the World Cup-2022.
Among their three opponents, the Atlas Lions had to face Croatia (0-0) - one of the finalists of the World Cup-2018 - and Belgium (0-2 victory) - third in the Cup of the world in Russia.
Morocco responded both offensively and defensively: four goals scored and only one conceded – against Canada (2-1 victory) – which makes them the best defense of the tournament for the moment, tied with Croatia and Brazil.
It is therefore quite logical that the Moroccan selection finished at the top of its group, pushing Belgium towards the exit.
"Achieving something big with your country is better than with your club. When I was young, I saw the last generation that had played in the World Cup, and I dreamed of becoming like them. We deserve to 'write this page of history,' Achraf Hakimi slipped at a press conference Thursday, after the match against Canada.
Achraf Hakimi, like central defender Romain Saïss, is one of the great architects of Morocco's defensive solidity.
Correct interventions, no card, no goal conceded from a set piece… Add to that the decisive offensive contribution of the right side of PSG: Achraf Hakimi notably delivered an assist for Youssef En-Nesyri against Canada.
On the attacking front, Morocco is also well provided: Youssef En-Nesyri has shown that he can be decisive up front against Canada, and winger Hakim Ziyech, who plays in the Premier League with Chelsea, is a permanent danger for the opposing defenses – two goals and an assist so far in this World Cup.
Added to this are the flashes of which Sofiane Boufal is capable intermittently, and here is an offensive line capable of carrying danger from all sides on the Spanish goal.
Sofyan Amrabat, the centerpiece of the Moroccan midfield
The Fiorentina midfielder has been the Moroccan midfielder's handyman since the start of the 2022 World Cup.
At Club Brugge, his former coach Ivan Leko called him "my 'gangster' on the pitch, in a good way".
"I understand why he said that," reacted Sofyan Amrabat.
"Sometimes you have to be tough on the pitch and I try to be that player, I'm someone who isn't afraid of anyone."
"Sofyan Amrabat has exceptional qualities, he is a physical engine", summed up another of his former coaches, Cesare Prandelli, at "Viola".
"Sofyan is turning a corner," said Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
"He's our first raiser and first defender in front of" the back four.
Sofyan Amrabat had played only part of the match in 2018, replacing his big brother Nordin Amrabat against Iran – the Atlas Lions then lost by a goal against their camp at the last second (1-0) .
Since then, the player has made himself indispensable.
"Our strength is to be a real team, everyone runs, everyone fights", explains the midfielder.
Tactically, "we play a little lower, more compact than before", notes Sofyan Amrabat, who performs his tasks as a receiver in the service of the group wonderfully, aware that "we have players who can score", adds- he.
At 26, Sofyan Amrabat is an essential cog in the Atlas Lions: imperial in front of the defense, he also serves as a launching pad for attackers from Morocco.
There is no doubt that he will be closely watched by the Spanish selection given his role as a control tower in the midfield.
The Spanish tiki-taka and Walid Regragui's strategy to counter it
But despite several sporting arguments to put forward, Morocco will have above all, on Tuesday, to thwart the Spanish plans.
As usual, La Roja will use tiki-taka – a style of play consisting of moving the ball quickly with precise passes, ideally with a touch of the ball.
Walid Regragui, questioned Monday in a press conference before the match, expects a "very difficult meeting" for Morocco.
"We know the Spanish football school (...). This team has been playing the same way for 15-20 years, with high possession, always with talented players in midfield," he said. -he explains.
"They want the ball, they don't leave it for the opposition, and their behavior never changes on a pitch."
But the Moroccan coach is not worried about the possession that La Roja could have: "They have 70% possession of the ball on average (...). Possession, they will have it, they have to we accept it."
Recalling that the Atlas Lions left the ball to Croatia and Belgium - successfully as they drew and won respectively - he believes that Morocco also have "qualities to cause problems" to Spain.
"I hope Spain will not know what to do with the ball," slipped Walid Regragui, who hopes to make his opponent's possession game sterile on Tuesday.
"We have things to show off, we have prepared well, we have one more day of recovery... We hope to create a surprise because, to be honest, if we eliminate Spain, it will be a nice surprise. “, also explained the coach.
Thirty-six years later, Morocco has the opportunity to mark history, by climbing for the first time in the quarter-finals of a World Cup.
With AFP
The World Cup in Qatar beyond football:
>> Italy, Argentina, Russia… Before Qatar, three controversial World Cups
>> Behind "carbon neutrality", the "greenwashing" World Cup
>> "It's a disposable workforce": the hell of migrant workers in Qatar
>> A controversial World Cup: Qatar's efforts to counter criticism
>> Qatar: shadow workers
>> Should we boycott the World Cup in Qatar? An Emirate under criticism
>> A bought World Cup? Since 2010, suspicions of corruption have weighed on Qatar
>> After Qatar, is a "greener" World Cup possible?
>> Mondial-2022: a political, economic or "hypocritical" boycott?
>> I have the right, I don't have the right... Guide for the good little supporter in Qatar
The summary of the
France 24 week invites you to come back to the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you!
Download the France 24 app