World Cup Group F’s first two games featured Morocco versus Croatia, which ended in a goalless draw, and Belgium’s 1-0 win over Canada, leaving them top of the table.
The Moroccan National Team will have to keep the integrity and solidity they showed against Croatia against the threats that Belgium and Canada will pose, and improve on the aspects of their game that hinder them from getting profitable results. The game against Croatia sheds light on the tactical preparations that Morocco’s opponents do in order to break down the dynamics and automatisms that the Atlas Lions rely on.
MOROCCO & CROATIA
We saw Morocco line up in a 4-1-4-1 formation against Croatia’s 4-3-3, with a first half performance worthy of recognition as Morocco succeeded in balancing between defensive conservatism and use of an organized press for chance creation.
Sofyan Amrabat played a crucial role in the success of both containing the well-known threats that famous Croatia midfielders such as Luka Modrić or Mateo Kovačić would pose to break down defensive lines, and the first phase of counter press, offering both the defensive line and his midfield teammates an option for transitions.
The Croatian Manager Zlatko Dalić, recognised the danger posed by the Moroccan flanks, and responded through tight marking of wingers’ movements and heavily containing Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal with a low block on defensive phases, thwarting attacking movements from both Moroccan Full-Backs Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui, who was subbed out due to injury in the second half.
Moroccan Head Coach Walid Regragui had this to say in the Post-Match conference, “The players had a good game against a great team, considered one of the best in this World Cup,” he noted, adding that the main thing is to snatch this precious point and avoid defeat in the first game. He will have to solve the Canadian and Belgian puzzles and effectively secure his star players concrete chances to exploit opportunities in the last third. Though, all eyes are on who’s to finish the chances that Morocco manages to create.
The question remains regarding Morocco’s pure Striker, as many Moroccan supporters believe Abderrazak Hamdallah to be the deserving number nine, as Sevilla marksman Youssef En-Nesyri failed to impress or convert on several occasions during the game.
BELGIUM & CANADA
Belgium’s game was more eventful as Thibaut Courtois held off Alphonso Davies in an early penalty, and Michy Batshuayi’s goal granted their team three points against a Canadian side worthy of attention. Looking at the result, and the two teams’ history, it’s easy to assume that 1970 World Cup winners were the better side, although, Roberto Martinez, Belgium’s Head Coach said at the post-match conference, “Today was a difficult day, Canada was better than us.”
Batshuayi’s goal before halftime settled the result for Belgium, but they were below the standard set by their “Golden Generation” in recent years, sloppy in possession and too passive against energetic opponents.
The Belgian side’s defense lacked coordination and failed to face heavy pressure from the Canadian front line, leaving many open play chances to an opponent who’s not afraid to exploit spaces behind the lines. Morocco will have to entertain a similar matchup, though Belgium have the experience of hardened veterans as a strength they can rely on.
Canada put up a display of how far they have advanced over the last few years as a footballing project, where they seek to send a message to the world as their talented generation looks to create an upset in group F.
The North Americans can be disappointed in the result of their game against Belgium, where to many’s surprise, the Canadians took the game to Belgium (22 to nine shot attempts), contested for possession of the ball (46 per cent) and had more key passes than Belgium’s side led by famous Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (18 to 8).
With an electric Canada looking to use their directness and speed, Morocco surely will have to respond to different questions than the ones faced against 2018 Runner ups Croatia.
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