Pele’s optimistic statement that “An African nation will win the World Cup before the year 2000″ still holds true today. Although an African nation has not yet achieved this feat, Morocco exceptional performance in the World Cup demands our attention. Their journey in the tournament has been nothing short of remarkable, making history as the first African team to reach the semifinals. Through this article, we will delve into the factors that have contributed to Morocco’s success, analyzing their impressive defensive system, formidable attacking prowess, and overall gameplay.
Morocco Compact Defensive System
Morocco’s defensive system, implemented in a 4-1-4-1 formation similar to 4-4-2, played a pivotal role in their successful campaign throughout the tournament. This formation allowed the team to maintain a compact and organized shape both vertically and laterally on the pitch, making it challenging for opponents to break through their defensive lines. The close proximity between the midfield and defence ensured excellent coordination and communication, resulting in a solid defensive block.
Under the astute guidance of coach Walid Regragi, Morocco showcased a profound understanding of modern football’s emphasis on controlling space. Their defensive strategy revolved around denying the opposition room to operate and limiting their attacking movements. This approach was executed through a zonal defensive system, which involved neutralizing the areas that opponents sought to exploit.
Throughout the tournament, Morocco displayed impressive defensive statistics, further validating the effectiveness of their strategy. They kept four clean sheets, indicating their ability to shut down opponents’ scoring opportunities. With an average of 18.4 tackles per game, they exhibited tenacity and discipline in dispossessing opponents. The goalkeeper’s average of 1.4 saves per game demonstrated their ability to make crucial interventions when needed.
The 4-1-4-1 formation employed by Morocco bears similarities to the 4-4-2 formation, known for its compactness and difficulty to penetrate. By condensing the central areas of the pitch, Morocco effectively limited opponents’ options and forced them to resort to long-range shots. This defensive approach resulted in fewer goals conceded and created a challenging scenario for opposing goalkeepers.
Morocco’s defensive discipline is evident in their average of 2.7 offsides per game, showcasing their ability to catch opponents in offside positions. Additionally, their average of 13.7 fouls per game suggests a willingness to disrupt the flow of the game when necessary to maintain defensive stability. The team’s average of 9.7 interceptions and 22.3 clearances per game further highlight their ability to disrupt opponents’ attacks and regain possession.
Zone Occupation and Movement
Morocco’s defensive line demonstrated remarkable synchronization and coordination throughout the matches. They exhibited a cohesive unit, collectively pushing up the pitch when opponents played backward passes and promptly dropping back to cover potential spaces to exploit. The defenders showcased their expertise in dealing with crosses and swiftly reestablishing their defensive shape when the ball exited the box. These fundamental defensive principles were pivotal in maintaining a sturdy defensive structure throughout the matches.
Sofyan Amrabat played a crucial role as the defensive midfielder in Morocco’s 4-1-4-1 formation. His responsibility was to patrol the central channel, effectively nullifying any potential threats from entering that zone. This zone, commonly referred to as Zone 14, is a critical area just outside the box where numerous scoring opportunities are created. By assigning Amrabat to this zone, Morocco effectively neutralized the influence of creative players seeking to operate in that space.
Morocco’s defensive approach went beyond simply man-marking specific players. Instead, they prioritized closing down and blocking the spaces where opponents intended to move into. The midfielders, including Amrabat, exhibited exceptional athleticism by swiftly pressuring defenders and obstructing passing lanes. Amrabat’s tireless work rate was evident as he covered ground from one side of the pitch to the other, constantly disrupting the opposition’s attacking play. This tactical approach resulted in an average of 2.3 tackles and 0.9 interceptions per game, demonstrating their effectiveness in regaining possession and impeding opponents’ progress.
While focusing on defensive solidity, it is worth mentioning that Morocco committed an average of 2 fouls per game. This strategic use of fouls served to disrupt the flow of the game and impede opponents’ attacking momentum. It allowed the team to reset their defensive shape and frustrate the opposition.
Sofyan Amrabat’s performances throughout the World Cup were highly commendable. He showcased his exceptional abilities in controlling the game, as evidenced by his average of 56.6 touches per match. His contributions as a defensive midfielder were instrumental in Morocco’s overall defensive success.
A Different Way to Attack by Morocco
Morocco’s attacking strategy deviated from conventional approaches, as they aimed to exploit transitional moments and quickly capitalize on threatening positions. Rather than solely focusing on defensive stability with a five-at-the-back system, Morocco sought to take advantage of the spaces left by their opponents when regaining possession. This proactive approach provided them with a numerical advantage in attacking situations, leading to dangerous opportunities.
Sofiane Boufal and Hakim Ziyech played pivotal roles as wingers in Morocco’s attacking lineup. They were instrumental in initiating attacking moves and acted as the team’s primary progressive options. Their technical prowess, ability to maintain ball possession under pressure, and skill in beating opponents were crucial factors in Morocco’s attacking success. Boufal and Ziyech’s fouls drawn per game (1.6 and 1.7 respectively) not only disrupted the opposition’s rhythm but also pushed the team forward. The emphasis on passing combinations on the flanks highlights the significance of Boufal’s successful dribbles (2.0 with a success rate of 58%) and Ziyech’s successful dribbles (1.7 with a success rate of 43%) in Morocco’s attacking play. Achraf Hakimi supported Ziyech on the right, when ever Ziyech would cut in from the right, Hakimi would overlap to make another option.
Morocco’s players showcased their technical quality on the field. Boufal’s accuracy in the opposition half stood at 8.9 (75%), while Ziyech recorded an accuracy of 15.6 (60%) in the same area. Their ability to carry the ball and execute dribbles proved effective in disrupting opponents’ man-to-man pressing. Winning one-on-one battles became a potent weapon for Morocco, enabling them to swiftly transition from defense to attack. This skill in taking on players and creating opportunities played a significant role in their overall success.
Morocco’s attacking fundamentals were impressive. The team reacted swiftly upon winning the ball, launching dynamic counter-attacks with multiple players breaking forward. Their attacking style displayed a sense of freedom and spontaneity, with players making decisions based on the circumstances rather than strictly adhering to a predetermined plan. This adaptability and willingness to exploit available space allowed Morocco to pose a genuine threat to their opponents. Additionally, Boufal’s accurate long balls (1.1 with a success rate of 67%) and Ziyech’s accurate long balls (2.7 with a success rate of 53%) showcased their ability to deliver incisive passes over longer distances. Boufal’s accurate chipped passes (1.4 with a success rate of 59%) and Ziyech’s accurate chipped passes (2.3 with a success rate of 39%) further exemplified their vision and creativity in unlocking defences.
What Morocco achieve is something no other African nation hasn’t, this should push more African teams and players to play or have more success in the future. This kind of reminds me of Greece when they won the Euro 2004, but this Morocco attack very well. It goes to show what hard work and team spirit can do, they eliminated Portugal and Spain in the knock out stages, beat Belgium in group stages. Restricting the opposition’s movements and minimized the threat of creative players operating in Zone 14, Sofiane Boufal and Hakim Ziyech played very well in running at their full backs, pushing them back and making space on the wide positions.