(Doha) Who from Croatia or Morocco will find the physical and mental resources to re-motivate themselves and seek third place? The beaten last four face off on Saturday (4 p.m.) in the “small final” of the Mondial-2022.
In the semi-finals, Croatia, vice-world champion in title, was outclassed by Argentina (3-0), while Morocco fell without demerit against the defending champion, France (2-0) , who will challenge the Albiceleste for the title on Sunday (4 p.m.).
After a few agreed answers, Moroccan coach Walid Regragui let his naturalness return at a gallop on Friday, which delighted the media for a month: “For me, we are in the place of the idiot when we are third or fourth,” he said. “We only remember the winners. »
Outside the countries concerned, it is not certain that many supporters can cite the third of the last World Cups, Belgium (2018), the Netherlands (2014) or Germany (2010 and 2006).
But “it would be nice to bring home a medal,” conceded the young Moroccan coach, who will remain one of the stars of this World Cup, the first to have carried an African team to the semi-finals. All while eliminating several big names from the competition, Belgium, Spain and then Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
The Croats, they assure that the motivation will indeed be there. For this small country of less than four million inhabitants, bringing back a third medal in seven editions, after the bronze of 1998 and the silver of 2018, is in itself a huge success.
And their coach Zlatko Dalic does not believe in a lack of desire from his opponents: “They are very motivated,” he notes. “It’s a huge game for them too. »
Mutual respect
It remains to be seen whether the bodies will follow for this seventh game in a month. The captain of Morocco Romain Saïss, reduced and released in the semi-finals, will be absent in the central hinge, a blow for Morocco whose defense has been a big part of its epic.
PHOTO MOLLY DARLINGTON, REUTERS
Romain Saiss
On the Croatian side, several holders are uncertain, such as central defender Josko Gvardiol, one of the great revelations of the tournament, or midfielder Marcelo Brozovic.
This match will also very likely be the last in a World Cup for Luka Modric, 37, one of the greatest players of the last fifteen years.
Will we see the Ballon d’Or 2018 again in the checkered jersey, especially at Euro-2024? Dalic showed his optimism on this subject, adding: “It will be his decision”.
The two teams have already faced each other in the tournament, in the group stage, for a sad 0-0. But it will not be the same match, assured in unison Regragui and Dalic.
“It will be a much more difficult opponent than in the first round,” explained the Croatian. “They are not afraid of anyone. Morocco is the biggest surprise of this World Cup. »
For their entry into the competition, the two teams had “calculated a lot, there was a lot of respect to take at least one point and advance in the competition. Tomorrow (Saturday), I think it will be more unbridled, there will be more spaces,” added the Moroccan.
If the Moroccans will once again be much more numerous in the stands, the match should give rise to a big atmosphere with two very hot audiences who will celebrate no matter what. While waiting to celebrate the return of their heroes to the country.