World Cup 2022 - Morocco - Regragui: "We are confident"
Walid Regragui: "We are confident." Morocco begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday 23 November in Group F.
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Drawn in a tough Group F alongside Croatia, Belgium and Canada, Morocco are looking to pull off a shock. The Atlas Lions' first test comes against the Croatians on Wednesday 23 November at 10 GMT. "Obviously, we know it will be a difficult game in the biggest competition in the world. We will be facing the runners-up, who have world-class players. We are ready to give everything and to make our supporters happy", said head coach Walid Regragui at a press conference.
The Moroccan coach continued: "It's the highest level. You have to be efficient. The slightest lapse in concentration gets punished. But we must not focus only on efficiency. First, we have to play well and defend well together. We are confident but we respect everyone."
Croatia are admittedly a formidable side, but Morocco have their own strengths too. There is no shortage of talent in the Atlas Lions, says Walid Regragui. "We have good players. I believe in our preparation and in our collective. We will certainly not be easy to play against. What matters is being coherent in our game, with or without the ball. We have to know what we must do with the ball. It will be a real tactical and technical match. The midfield will be important."
The Moroccans want to draw inspiration from Saudi Arabia, who sprang the first surprise of this World Cup. The Saudis beat Lionel Messi's Argentina (2-1). "I am very, very happy for Hervé Renard. His victory gives us ideas too for pulling off this kind of shock. In football, anything is possible", exclaimed Atlas Lions captain Romain Saïss.
Like Tunisia, Morocco will be able to count on their fans. According to the Moroccan website Arryadia, Moroccans are among the top 10 supporter groups to have bought a large number of match tickets. They will therefore be out in force at Al Bayt Stadium on Thursday.