World Cup 2022 - Ouaddou: "Deschamps will respect Morocco and take them very seriously"

Sport News Africa : How do you feel after Morocco's historic win over Portugal?

Abdeslam Ouaddou : Obviously, a great deal of joy. Morocco have done something fantastic, extraordinary. They are defying every prediction. They beat Belgium (2-0), knocked out Spain (0-0, 3-0 on penalties) and now Portugal, three sides who were named among the favourites or the outsiders, and they drew with Croatia (0-0).

Even Walid Regragui, after the Portugal game, admitted he had not imagined his team would play a World Cup semi-final...

And yet... Plenty of people were predicting a group-stage exit. Before the Spain game, I said in an interview with 20 Minutes that I could see Morocco reaching the final. We're not there yet, of course, as there is a semi-final to play against France next Wednesday. It will be very tough, but we have to believe. The French certainly won't take us lightly. Knowing Didier Deschamps, that's impossible. He's a great competitor, he will respect Morocco and take them very seriously. And a France-Morocco semi-final is a bit special, isn't it? It's an unprecedented semi-final pairing between two very close countries.

Morocco kept a clean sheet for the fourth time since the start of the World Cup. At this level, it's no longer down to chance...

Of course not! The Moroccan players show a fantastic mindset. There is huge solidarity. They want to go even further. They're tired, they're giving a lot, they suffered against Portugal, but they're still on their feet. Morocco have a very fine generation of players. And there is an impressive tactical quality, too.

"What worries me a little is the defence: Aguerd and Mazraoui weren't there against Portugal because they were injured, and we don't know whether they will be fit to face France. And Romain Saïss came off injured on Saturday"

Are you referring in particular to the work of Walid Regragui?

Yes. He was appointed last August, and before the World Cup he had only three friendlies to prepare for the tournament. It's quite extraordinary to achieve such a result with so little time together and only three warm-up games. He has a very well-oiled, rational system of play: a very solid defensive base, transition play, a low block, tight lines and an ability to break forward quickly after winning the ball back. And as there are excellent ball-players in this team, it works.

Do you understand the criticism heard or read here and there about Morocco's supposedly overly defensive profile?

No. In my view it's unfounded. Morocco defend well, very well in fact, but they also show things when they're in possession. This team has values, and its solidarity is exemplary. It can count on excellent players, such as Bounou, Amrabat, Ziyech, En-Nesyri, and of course the whole defence. What worries me a little is precisely the defence: Aguerd and Mazraoui weren't there against Portugal because they were injured, and we don't know whether they will be fit to face France. And Romain Saïss came off injured on Saturday. We'll see who can play. There is probably a lot of fatigue, they will need to recover well.

Alexis BILLEBAULT