Morocco has a plan ‘to play the final,’ but first has to overcome Scotland’s physicality

FOXBOROUGH — Expectations are high for Morocco, after reaching the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. And midfielder Azzedine Ounahi is not arguing. Asked if playing to a 1-1 tie with Brazil in the Group C opener in East Rutherford, N.J., made him think about the championship match, scheduled in the same stadium on July 19, Ounahi replied: “We’re going to come back to play the final.”

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Ounahi’s prediction drew applause from Moroccan media members during a press conference Thursday. So much for not worrying about bulletin board material.

“We know this World Cup will be longer than [2022], and we didn’t just come to the US to play against Brazil,” Ounahi said. “We came in to go further than we did in 2022. Every match counts and we have to come into every match with the same spirit, and we will.

“Our mentality has changed. We’re aiming to go to the furthest point possible. [Four years ago] is history now, and we’re aspiring to new horizons. We have a new generation, a lot of talent, a very complete squad. We have what we need to go even further.”

But, first, Morocco must meet Scotland in a Group C match Friday night.

“Even tougher than Brazil,” Ounahi said. “More physical. They play different football than Brazil — long balls, physical, not afraid of getting rough. [Friday] is the most important match of the group, and we need to win, so the third match will be a little easier on us.”

Scotland coach Steve Clarke isn’t disputing the Atlas Lions’ aspirations.

“They reached the last four last World Cup, and I’ve got the feeling this Morocco team is slightly better than that,” Clarke said. “That gives you an idea of the task ahead. They are every bit as good, if not better. Their aspirations are the last four again, so it’s a big challenge. They have power, pace, can beat you 1v1s. For me, Morocco is the real deal, and we have to be at our very best.”

The Atlas Lions, who won last year’s Arab Cup and Africa Cup of Nations (on forfeit, after losing to Senegal in extra time), count on a defense led by outside backs Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui, backed by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Up front, the main threats are Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz and Bayern Munich-bound Ismael Saibari.

“I think they’re all dangerous,” Scotland captain Andy Robertson said. “There’s quality all over the pitch, and it’s hard to focus on one, another will pop up. There’s so much quality, picking out one or two players. As a team they are hard to play against, really difficult. But we also believe in the quality we’ve got.”

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Scotland opened with a 1-0 win over Haiti, but Clarke is taking a Braveheart approach to this match.

“Sometimes the Scottish psyche, or Scottish mentality, we’re a little bit more comfortable when we’re underdogs,” Clarke said. “We were favorites against Haiti, and we found the game a struggle, but we managed to win. This time, we’re underdogs.”

The Scots’ goals are modest, compared to Morocco’s — they haven’t won more than once in a World Cup, never advancing out of group play.

“We want to be the first team to do it for our country,” Robertson said. “But we’re playing against one of the best teams in the world. If we can put in our best performance, I believe we can get what we want and, hopefully, make history.”

Clarke is optimistic.

“Training was electric,” Clarke said of practice at the Revolution Training Center Thursday. “But, as a coach, as an experienced coach, you can read too much out of a training session. I’ve seen, I’ve watched them train the day before the game, and think, oh no, you think they’re miles off, and then they turn up the pitch and they’re fantastic. Other times, they can be great in training and forget to turn up in the games. I don’t read too much into that, but I’m pretty sure the boys are ready.

Meanwhile, Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi is keeping the situation in perspective.

“Technical, but also very physical,” Ouahbi said of Scotland. “Very physical, but totally different style with Scotland. They work faster with the ball, stronger with the ball. We have a plan to play, and see what happens.

“We want to be better than what we did against Brazil. We want to grow with the competition. It’s the World Cup, every game is difficult. We need to remain focused. You don’t have small teams any more.”

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