DOHA, Qatar | Do you have to go through rue Jean-Talon to get to the east end of the city on Tuesday morning? We suggest you take another route.
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Well, there are these works blocking the street at the corner of boulevard Pie-IX, but you will mainly cross the Petit Maghreb and it is a sector of the city that will be in turmoil.
Morocco face Spain in the round of 16 of the World Cup and will have the chance to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their history. The last time Morocco went this far was in 1986, when they lost to West Germany.
“They can no longer replay their match against Germany,” said coach Walid Regragui. We are lucky to be the only ones to have done it in Morocco. We don’t want to have any regrets, but we also have to play it down so that they don’t overplay this match. »
In good position
Morocco can claim victory on the simple basis of numbers, but we know that means nothing. They finished top of their group with two wins and one loss, while Spain came second in their group with one win, one loss and one draw.
“It’s going to be a very difficult game for us because it’s one of the best teams in the world. They have a lot of ambition and are among the favorites to win the competition,” Regragui said respectfully.
These two teams, despite their geographical proximity, have only faced each other three times, the last dating back to the 2018 World Cup in a 2-2 draw.
“We have players who play in Spain and others who were born there, it’s a country that is dear to Moroccans, we like Spanish football,” said Regragui, a bit in seduction mode.
Last representative
For Morocco, there is a lot to gain from this game and Regragui underlined it.
“For me, it’s an incredible feeling because everyone in Morocco wants to be here. We could fill two stadiums with people of Arab origin, in addition to the fact that we are also the last Arab team and the last African team in the running. »
The Spaniards are not at all intimidated by the idea of being in the minority in the stadium.
“For us, it is a source of motivation and we want to celebrate football with Moroccans. Our countries have a good relationship, there are many Moroccans living in Spain,” said his Spanish counterpart Luis Henrique.
less experience
As we have mentioned, the Moroccans have reached the round of 16 for the first time since 1986. Walid Regragui did not fail to recall it.
“In the eighth, it’s balanced, it’s played on the details. They have the experience that we don’t have and that’s where my staff and I will have to be ready. »
He also mentioned that the game against Canada allowed him to better understand his team.
“It was a special match because we wanted first place and that maybe put a little more pressure on us. I really liked Canada’s second half, it was the one that allowed us to better gauge the group. »
The best
In the Spanish camp, after a lackluster group stage, we are cautious against Morocco, which we consider to be very competent.
“We will be up against one of the national teams that are at the top right now. They are a motivated team after an absolutely extraordinary group stage, ”insisted coach Luis Henrique.
Moreover, since its coronation in South Africa in 2010, Spain has stumbled at the World Cup. She was stopped in the group stage in 2014 and in the round of 16 in 2018.
“I don’t dwell on the results, but I am convinced that we have more merit than Morocco. I don’t know what we have the right to demand, ”said Henrique.
On your mind
The Spanish coach has also shown stubbornness. His team were pressed in the group stage, but he intends to change nothing.
“We will continue to play from the back as we have always done. »
And despite only one victory in its first three games, Henrique feels that his team is having a good tournament.
“We played well, apart from those 15 minutes when we were overwhelmed against Japan. »