World Cup 2022 - Youssouf Hadji: "A good result to start with"
Morocco: Hadji reviews the draw with Croatia. The former Morocco international liked what he saw from the Atlas Lions
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Morocco held Croatia to a draw, which is no mean feat…
I think every Moroccan would have taken that scoreline before the game. Starting with a draw against the reigning world runners-up is a good result. It leaves the Atlas Lions with the door open to going through to the second round, even though two tough games against Belgium and Canada lie ahead.
It was a fairly tight game…
Yes. I admit I expected more from Croatia. I admit I found them weaker than in 2018, even though they have real technical quality and are composed on the ball. There weren't many chances, it was an evenly matched game. The draw seems fair to me. I do think, though, that Morocco could have done better at times. They didn't get many opportunities, and in that case you have to try to be more decisive, as Saudi Arabia managed to be against Argentina (2-1). But too often there was one dribble too many, one flourish too many, as if they wanted to walk the ball into the net.
"You can see Ziyech lacks match practice"
Going forward, how do you assess Hakim Ziyech's performance?
You can see he lacks match practice, that he has barely played in recent months at Chelsea… He started well, providing some good balls, but he gradually faded. But he's a player who can change a game with a single moment of quality, as he showed with a fantastic lob in the friendly against Georgia (3-0, on 17 November). Ziyech, you have to keep him on the pitch, even if you don't see much of him. I think he will grow into the tournament.
Defensively, Morocco held up well…
Yes, the defence had a good, solid game. The Croatians didn't have many chances either. The team probably need to improve, especially in their first pass out from the back. You could also say there was a bit of sloppiness on the ball from both sides. But we mustn't forget that preparation was very short, that Morocco have had a new coach since August, and that Walid Regragui has called up or recalled players who need to learn to play together.
On Sunday, Morocco face Belgium, who are billed as the favourites in this group…
It will be very difficult, of course, but I think the Belgians' very attacking style may suit Morocco a bit more. We will need to know how to exploit the space Belgium leave.
Alexis BILLEBAULT