France has everything to lose against a Moroccan side that has nothing left to prove in the 2022 FIFA World Cup
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France has everything to lose against a Moroccan side that has nothing left to prove in the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Defending world champion France will face the giant slayers of Morocco in the second semi-final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Didier Deschamps’s men can’t afford to take the African trailblazers lightly. Every team who overlooked the talented Moroccon squad paid the price. The list includes world champions Spain and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
The Atlas Lions made history by becoming the first nation from their home continent to make it to the World Cup semi-finals after the 1-0 win against Portugal. The accomplishments of Morocco in Qatar have already breached every limit that has been set for them. From now on, every goal they score, every tackle they make, and every ball they win will be just another feather in the golden crown they have earned.
However, the French have everything to prove to the rest of the world. Their squad is filled with football’s most sought-after talent. The lengthy injury list hasn’t yet troubled the 2018 champions. They had a smooth run to the semi-finals. The only team that came close to upsetting them was England in the Round of 16. Though they lost to Tunisia in the Group stages, the match wasn’t as significant to them as before or after. France is the favorite to reach the finals, and they only hope Morocco’s frontline misfires.
A loss to Morocco has the potential to redefine the career and legacy of every individual French player. This year, Kylian Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or chase entirely relies on a French World Cup win. Olivier Giroud might never earn the respect he deserves even after becoming the country’s all-time top scorer in Men’s football. For Dembele and Griezmann, this might be their last chance to prove that they are still world-class
The glory that awaits the French if they win the World Cup is more significant than one can imagine. They have the opportunity of their lifetime to get into the elite bracket of Pele’s Brazil. The team also represents a modern Europe that hopes to make questions regarding one’s race or ethnicity a thing of the past. The diverse French squad can lead them to the path.
Morocco’s biggest dilemma going into the World Cup semi-finals against France is the battle between Achraf Hakimi and Kylian Mbappe
Achraf Hakimi has been the brightest star for Morocco in Qatar and is one of the front runners to win the Golden ball. The PSG right-back showcased his class and confidence with his Panenka penalty against Spain in Round 16. But against the French, Hakimi needs to level up his game as his PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe has dominated the right wing against every team he has played against.
Hakimi is well aware of the French young sensations’ abilities as they are more than just teammates; they are close friends. They followed each other very closely throughout the tournament and appreciated the progress each made. Hakimi has to keep the friendship aside and stop the tournament’s leading goal scorer from putting the ball behind Yassine Bounou
Hakimi hasn’t been just the defensive out for the team; he also has been one of the most productive offensive players in the Moroccan squad. So far, he has played every minute for the Atlas Lions in Qatar, and the upcoming 90 minutes at Al Bayt Stadium demands everything he has in him. Even if he can stop the onslaught of Mbappe, he has to worry about Theo Fernandes’s overlapping runs that could open up the defensive line.
Morocco has to prioritize defending Mbappe over organizing counterattacks on the right-hand side. This put more pressure on Hakim Ziyech and co as they will be one vital man short in front of the goal.If the Moroccans go for an anti- Mbappe plan, they will leave the field open for Dembele and Griezmann to score. The Moroccan backline will miss Romain Saiss, who was injured in the match versus Portugal, but the return of Noussair Mazraoui and Nayef Aguerd will give them a boost.
Also read: Croatian captain Luka Modric reveals his ultimate ‘dream’ as a Real Madrid player
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Justin P Joy
(4859 Articles Published)