France are two games away from winning back-to-back World Cups, and could become the first nation to win the World Cup as reigning champions since Pele’s Brazil in 1962. Mbappé’s journey has followed similarly to the great Brazilian’s so far and the tournament’s joint top scorer will be a tough test for Morocco’s rigid defence.
Morocco have already gone further in this World Cup than any African nation before. This is not an fluke by any means. The team have encountered Canada, Croatia, Belgium, Spain and Portugal en route to the final without conceding once to an opposition player. The North African nation exceeded expectations when they made it to the knockout stages and now find themselves just two games away from becoming the first team outside of Europe and South America to win the World Cup.
France Expected Line-up : Lloris – Koundé Varane Upamecano Hernandez – Rabiot Tchouameni Griezmann – Dembélé Giroud Mbappé
Morocco Expected Line-up : Bono – Hakimi El Yamiq Saïss Attiyat-Allah – Amrabat Ounahi Amallah – Ziyech En Nesyri Boufal
Griezmann and France’s Threat
They are favourites and their quality is hard to overlook. The quality has been exemplified by Antoine Griezmann, playing deeper than ever before. The Atletico forward drops into midfield alongside Tchouameni as Rabiot covers the left wing. Mbappe and Giroud stay higher and this creates a 4-4-2 formation when Les Bleus are out of possession. Griezmann’s technical quality suits this deeper role due to his ball playing ability. This was seen in his two assist against England. In this midfield role, Griezmann evades the pressure of a central defender or holding midfielder and is free to pick out the runs of France’s attackers. This often involves drifting out to the half-space, as Kevin De Bruyne does so well for Manchester City. Finding space in this wider position allows him to pick out Giroud’s runs in a way he can not when employed in a higher position. Griezmann sees more of the game in this role which is incredibly valuable for a player of his intelligence.
Hakimi vs Mbappé
The key battle in this game seems to be between PSG’s Moroccan right back and their French left winger. Mbappe was kept quiet against England but this came at a cost for Southgate’s side. Kyle Walker did not advance as he may have against a different opponent. This meant Jordan Henderson had to fill the void left through the lack of an attacking fullback. The Liverpool midfielder, of course, struggled in this role and England seemed to lack adequate numbers to trouble France on the right wing at times. Ounahi will struggle to help in the midfield battle should he be required to fill the Hakimi-shaped void in Morocco’s attacking shape.
Morocco can surely not keep Achraf Hakimi from advancing due to the threat of Mbappé. They will lose too much going forward and Ziyech will struggle to cause a threat should he be too isolated on Morocco’s right wing. Hakimi excels when advancing with the ball down the right flank. In a team who may lack the threat to break down France, they will be reluctant to surrender the dangerous attacking weapon they have in their star fullback. This may force Mbappé to track back slightly more but it could be very dangerous for Morocco should they employ Hakimi in a forward-thinking role.
Morocco’s Organised Defence
As mentioned earlier, Croatia, Spain, Belgium and Portugal all failed to score against Morocco. The defence is organised and disciplined but does not lack quality. Romain Saïss, a true leader in Morocco’s back line who hopes to be fit for tonight, suffered an injury in the last match. For the last half-hour of the game Morocco were playing a make-shift back four which featured two central defenders who do not make it into their best eleven. This shows that despite the individual quality of Sofyan Amrabat the base of the midfield, Achraf Hakimi at right back, and Romain Saïss at centre back, the Moroccan defensive resilience is due to defensive discipline. For that, huge credit has to go to the head coach, Walid Regragui.
They will test France’s patience and make it difficult, as they have for the top teams they have dispatched so far. They have afforded chances and have been lucky to not concede at all against these top opponents. Their excellent goalkeeper, Sevilla’s Bono, combined with the few chances they usually afford their opposition, will mean France must be lethal with the chances they are presented with.
How will Morocco trouble France?
Morocco play counter-attacking and do not see much of the ball, aware of their relative technical inability when facing top quality opponents. Their wingers though, Boufal and Ziyech, do possess great ability on the ball. Ziyech is a threat when taking set pieces as well as creating from open play. He is excellent at bringing the fullbacks into the game, both of which are willing and able to advance when needed. Boufal is a tricky winger who has the ability to make defenders look silly. France’s defenders are all quick and strong, often to eager to show this ability and get the ball quickly. This may present Boufal with chances to get in behind should they challenge at the wrong time. En Nesyri, their striker, has been average at best for Sevilla. Despite this, he showed his incredible aerial ability against Portugal, with a goal which a certain man on the Portuguese bench would have been proud of.
In conclusion…
Morocco’s fairytale run will end against the French, surely. Although, the world has thought that when they faced Spain and Portugal. Morocco would love to cause another upset, but after what they have shown so far it would not be too much of a surprise. They have the support of many neutral fans, due to being the last remaining Arabic-speaking nation in the competition, which should create a favourable atmosphere. France, though, will surely have to much attacking quality for Morocco to keep them out. Should their own defence remain concentrated their attacking quality should see them progress to the final.
AOG Football 