Atlas Lions back line tested

Posted On: December 8, 2022

Bisnis.com, JAKARTA – Morocco will face Portugal in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup which will take place at Al Thumama stadium on Saturday (10/12/2022) at 22:00 WIB.

Morocco advanced to the quarter-finals after beating strong European side Spain on penalties. During the Morocco-Spain match at the Cité de l’Éducation stadium on Tuesday (6/12), 3 penalty takers from the Atlas Lions team managed to penetrate the Spanish goal.

Morocco’s three penalty shootout goals were scored by Abdelhamid Sabiri, Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi. Only Badr Benoun’s kick failed.

Meanwhile, all of Spain’s penalty shootouts were unable to penetrate the Moroccan goal guarded by Yassine Bounou. The Spanish kickers were Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets.

Morocco also qualified for its first quarter-final in World Cup history. Morocco is also Africa’s only hope at the 2022 World Cup.

In the quarter-finals, Morocco national team coach Walid Reragui worked hard to prepare his team to face tough opponents Portugal.

He said he wouldn’t just beat Spain. More than that, the Atlas Lions are trying to become the first African team to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals.

“At some point in Africa we have to be ambitious and why not win the World Cup, even if it will be difficult,” he told BBC International on Thursday (8/12/2022).

Meanwhile, in the game against Portugal, the Atlas Lions defense will be put to the test. So far, Morocco is the team with the strongest defense in the 2022 World Cup. Until the round of 16, the Atlas Lions have conceded only 1 goal against Canada.

The Atlas Lions defense line was guarded by Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, Paris Saint Germain (PSG) full-back Achraf Hakimi, Besiktas defender Romain Saïss, West Ham United defender Nayef Aguerd and Bayern Munich full-back Noussair Mazraoui.

However, in the game against Portugal, the Atlas Lions defense was hit with problems. Nayef Aguerd looks set to miss after being substituted against Spain with a groin injury.

Meanwhile, Romain Saiss is a doubt after being treated in the Spain game for a hamstring problem.

Opponents Portugal have also been hit by injuries to several defenders, such as Nuno Mendez and Danilo Pereira. However, Portugal have similar replacements in Pepe and Raphael Guerreiro.

More than that, Portugal will appear in full force. However, their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to rest on the bench again. Because his replacement, Gonçalo Ramos, played brilliantly against Switzerland.

Prediction of the alignments of Morocco against Portugal:

Morocco (4-3-3)

Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Romain Saïss, Jawad El Yamiq, Noussair Mazraoui; Sofyan Amrabat, Selim Amallah, Azzedine Ounahi; Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal.

Portugal (4-3-3)

Diogo Costa; Diogo Dalot, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Raphael Guerreiro; Bernardo Silva, Otavio, William Carvalho; Bruno Fernandes, Gonçalo Ramos, João Felix.

Statistics Morocco vs Portugal:

– Morocco is currently ranked 22nd in FIFA, while Portugal is ranked 9th.

– In the preliminary round of the 2022 World Cup, Morocco won Group F with 7 points from 2 wins against Belgium and Canada, and a draw against Croatia.

– In the round of 16, Morocco won on penalties against Spain.

– Portugal also won in Group H with 6 points thanks to their victories against Uruguay and Ghana.

– In the round of 16, Portugal won convincingly 6-1 against Switzerland.

Head to head Morocco vs Portugal

2 meetings

1 time Portugal wins

1 time Morocco wins

Last two meetings

20/06/2018: Portugal 1-0 Morocco

11/06/1986: Portugal 1-3 Morocco

Score prediction for Morocco vs Portugal

Final score prediction according to WhoScored, Morocco 1-1 Portugal.