Morocco faces Croatia for third place in the World Cup on Saturday December 17 at the Khalifa International Stadium. If Croatia, finalist in 2018, wants to finish on the podium once again, this time it will have to get rid of the Atlas Lions, the first African and Arab semi-finalists in the history of the competition.
From our special envoy to Qatar,
Another last effort for Morocco. After a memorable career with the Atlas Lions, coach Walid Regragui shows the color against Luka Modric’s Croatia. ” The players know that there is just one game left before leaving the tournament and they want to do well. I don’t need to motivate them, they know it’s the World Cup. It would be extraordinary to climb on the third step “, says the former coach of Wydad Casablanca.
The 2022 World Cup, a major experience for the future
In front of the France for the first semi-final of a team from the African continent, the Atlas Lions showed a good face, as they had since the start of the World Cup, but came up against the efficiency and discipline of the men of Didier Deschamps.
But this stay in Qatar has shown that the Moroccan selection could greatly benefit from this experience in the future, when it is made up of young players. Since the quarter-finals, Morocco was the team with the lowest average age (26.2 years).
A third place as a reward
” We gave it our all, and we’re going home with our heads held high. For our supporters, a third place would be a reward, even if we obviously wanted to play the final. I don’t think there was that much difference between us and France “, concedes Walid Regragui who announces that the captain Romain Saiss will not be present, injured in the thigh.
” We are proud of what we have done. We do not really realize, we are in our bubble. I hope this is the start of something. You have to finish third “Said Saïss after the semi-final against the Blues.
Morocco had started its World Cup in Qatar by upsetting the Croats, vice-world champions, with a draw (0-0). “ When you look at Rocky, you’re for him because he’s the one coming out from below. We are a bit like the Rocky of this World Cup “, had dropped Walid Regragui, after the historic qualification for the semi-finals, by eliminating Portugal from Cristiano Ronaldo.