;Composite=(type=URL,url=https://images.radio-canada.ca/v1/assets/elements/16x9/outdated-content-2022.png),gravity=SouthEast,placement=Over,location=(0,0),scale=1 "Three observations on the Morocco-Portugal 1-0 match")
It must be midnight for Cinderella. Her carriage became a pumpkin again, her dress lost its luster, and her slippers crumbled.
However, this Cinderella is stubborn. She had yet to get her hands on what she came for at the ball. Walid Regragui finds ways to repair his cart, patch his dress, and resole his shoes.
The Moroccan formation announced before the quarter-final match, which won 1-0 over Portugal, raised questions. Nasir Marzawi is not injured. Nayef Akrad was also not injured. Romain Saiss on one leg. The Moroccan defense seemed in a sorry state.
It is clear that Regraki is an outstanding fashion designer. Jawad El-Yamik, alongside Saiss until his almost inevitable exit in the 57th minute, was formidable. Yahya Attia Allah, in his first participation in the World Cup, provided the divine cross that allowed Youssef En-Nesyri to score a historic goal for an entire continent.
The Moroccan coach still has other concerns before the semi-final match next Wednesday, given the health condition of Saiss and the suspension of striker Walid Al-Chadira, who was excluded in stoppage time of the second half.
Who could look into the eyes of a regraki and tell him that his story could not continue to be written? It will take a good dose of liquid concealer, and a little trickery, but it can be done. It's midnight, but Cinderella has not fallen asleep yet.
Masters of modern football
We will truly talk about Morocco's defensive performance. Portugal had possession 73% of the time and attempted a large number of crosses and passes which were not always easy to manage. Goalkeeper Bono and his teammates took care of it with dizzying skill.
It would have been possible to kick the ball almost as far as possible without worrying too much about where it would land. This is what the Moroccans did in the final moments of the match, 10 to 11, and even shortly before Al-Shadira was sent off. This is completely understandable.
However, even when things get heated in the defensive third, the Atlas Lions are usually keen to try to release the ball elegantly and find their way through the Portuguese press. Azzedine Ounahi and Sofiane Amrabat – no, we won't stop talking about him – were particularly clear.
Their determination to try to create interesting and productive transitions is a hallmark of many modern teams. To achieve all this while giving the opposition just one goal in five games is a huge achievement.
Bennoun experience
Until now, the Moroccan recipe has been predictable, despite its diabolical effectiveness (yes, it's a Belgian joke): a classic 4-3-3 with responsible wingers helping their teammates control the pivot and push the opponent as far away as possible. One of the most profitable areas in this field.
For the first time since the start of the tournament, 25 minutes before the match against Portugal, Regragui changed his system: the En-Nesyri striker made way for a third centre-back, Badr Bennoun, and Chedira became the only reference point in the attack.
The coach had many good reasons for making this decision. There was still Cristiano Ronaldo, who had entered the game a quarter of an hour earlier, and had to be given as little space as possible.
Above all, there was Saiss' injury, and the question arises: Does it take two teammates to replace the great Moroccan captain? What does this observation suggest before the semi-finals?
Regragui knows exactly how to adapt to circumstances, even at the highest level of international football. But the system that has been in place since he took office, just over three months ago, remains remarkably tight. How much does he want to show his coping skills?
A word about 1-2 England and France
We have already talked about Antoine Griezmann during the group stage. Allow us to do it again.
As great as Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud are, they can disappear from time to time. France, at times, look more like six or seven men defending, and then three more up front waiting, than a team.
Fortunately for France, Antoine Griezmann is there.
It is the glue that turns a group of players into a team. He puts himself at the service of everyone. It creates a relationship between everyone.
This team should not give the impression that everything comes relatively easy for them. It is deprived of Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante, Karim Benzema and Lucas Hernandez. Of course, there is Aurelien Chouamini, Adrien Rabiot, Olivier Giroud and Theo Hernandez.
Above all, there is Grizzo, his assists, his recovery of the ball, his movement, his efforts.
His World Cup?
