If you want to go from the Moroccan capital Rabat to the French capital Paris, you have to cross the Strait of Gibraltar. That journey is through Spain to Portugal. Morocco’s fighters traveled the same route in the World Cup. Spain was defeated in the long pre-quarter to the shootout. and Portugal in the quarter.
If France were to be knocked out in the semi-finals today, the title of the book by the late renowned historian Dominique Lapierre would fit the Moroccan victory well – Is Paris Burning! But the French cannot be satisfied with the fire of passion alone. It will also need the fuel of football tactics.
They are the most planned team in this World Cup. France’s first line was out of form only in the quarter-final against England. Yet their excellence and perfection lies in winning. Didier Deschamps and his team will be on the brink of retaining the world title if they beat a struggling Morocco side at the Al Beit Stadium today.
Star watch
France forward Kylian Mbappe and Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi are teammates at French club PSG. When the two best friends met at the Education City Stadium yesterday, Mbappe said he would finish Hakimi. Hakimi also retorted that if he had that desire in mind, he would topple Mbappe.
One of today’s attractions is the head-to-head battle between Mbappe, who runs down France’s left wing, and Achraf Hakimi, who is stationed on Morocco’s right wing. But to reduce the competition to just that would be an injustice to the team spirit of both teams.
There are many stars of this World Cup in the Moroccan line such as Sofiane Amrabat, Hakim Siyesh, Sofiane Boufal, Yassine Bono and Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, Aurelian Choumeni, Adrien Rabiot in the French line.
Team News
No one in the France squad is injured or suspended. Jules Conte replaced Benjamin Pavard at right-back and his brother Theo Hernandez replaced Lucas Hernandez, who was injured in the first match, at left-back. There are injuries and suspensions in the Moroccan line-up.
Striker Walid Chedira will not be able to play after receiving two yellow cards against Portugal. There is a doubt about captain Romain Saiss who was injured against Portugal and had to go out on a stretcher. Saez can rest if Nayef Agwerd returns from injury.
France – All-out
France does not even have a clean sheet in this World Cup. Their style is to score one goal and return two. Many of the goals came from interplay between the fullbacks and forwards. Theo Hernandez and Jules Konde could join the trio of Mbappe-Giroud-Dembele in the forwards. With Griezmann coming in from midfield, France effectively have four forwards.
Rabiot and Choumeni come in from defensive midfield to support them. France also have the challenge of having teams with attacking fullbacks and midfielders. Lack of man in own half to resist counter attack of opposing team. But Didier Deschamps reckons it can be countered by quickly restoring structure.
Morocco- counter attack
Morocco’s advances have been measured. Their style is not that everyone rushes in when they get the ball. The likes of Hakim Siyesh hold the ball until he is in position to cross. Positioned in gaps between opposing defenders and ready to receive the ball.
Thus, in a precise move, Morocco ate the story of Portugal. What makes the Moroccan defense stand out is that they have only conceded one goal (an own goal!) in this World Cup. The characteristic is that even when the team is attacking and playing, the defensive line does not leave.
But because they play in space, wingers with dribbling skills are a threat to Morocco. Canada exposed that weakness in the group stage. But the opportunities could not be exploited. But France with Mbappe and Dembele will not.
English Summary: france vs morocco world cup semi final 2022