In search of certainty after its failure at the CAN, Morocco was far from dispelling all doubts in March. After their short victory against Angola (1-0), the Atlas Lions broke their teeth against a very defensive Mauritania (0-0) this Tuesday in a friendly match in Agadir despite the new tenure of Brahim Diaz.
From the start, the Atlas Lions monopolized the ball in front of the Mauritanians who were waiting in defense. The chances were also Moroccan, starting with a low strike from Eliesse Ben Seghir on the left pushed back at the near post by Babacar Niasse (8th). However, this was the only truly dangerous situation in the first act. Because, despite outrageous North African domination, the Cherifians struggled to disturb the last Mauritanian rampart.
Guided by their conductor Brahim Diaz, Walid Regragui’s men swung from left to right, and vice versa, without being able to break through the mourabitoune hinge. The latter indeed playing hard on the man, in particular on Diaz when he tried to force the safe with a slalom (40th). Upset, the Moroccans got involved in a brief scuffle shortly before a free kick from Achraf Hakimi passed just over the crossbar (45th+1).
After half-time, Morocco stepped up the pace, focusing on set pieces. Hakim Ziyech thus saw Babacar Niasse box with both fists a vicious free kick from the right (49th) before a free kick from Diaz, starting from the right this time, and taken by a teammate in Niasse’s gloves (53rd). On a corner kicked from the right ten minutes later, Soufiane Rahimi, surprised at the near post by a deflection of the header at the far post, sent his recovery over the top (63rd). The returning Chadi Riad had no more success with a header after a long pass from the right (69th).
Morocco frustrated by the Mauritanian bus and the VAR
Present in the air, the Mauritanian defense also did the job on the ground. This is evidenced by this saving tackle cutting a dangerous Moroccan back pass coming from the left for a corner at the near post (71st). Ziyech’s disappointment following a long-range attempt falling a few centimeters above Niasse’s cage perfectly illustrated the frustration of the Atlas Lions in front of the Mauritanian bus (74th). Having literally refused the game, Mauritania even came close to a hold-up on a sudden half-volley just on the edge of the Moroccan area, pushed back by a vigilant Bounou who had until then had a more than quiet evening (84th). In stoppage time, Achraf Hakimi, served full axis in the area, dribbled the goalkeeper before shooting into the empty goal, but his goal was invalidated for an obvious offside position (90th + 5).
Morocco thus ends its truce with a draw. A mixed result upon arrival. If Brahim Diaz and Ben Seghir showed great promise with their abilities to streamline the game and create a link between defense and attack, the Atlas Lions showed their limits in finding the solution against low blocks. . An axis on which Walid Regragui’s training should work between now and the next days of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June.
Morocco-Mauritania compositions
The national team’s lineup against the Mauritanian national team
Tonight’s Team news 🦁#DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/0nqZElus8J
— Team Morocco (@EnMaroc) March 26, 2024
#FRAME 🚨 | The starting lineup 🇲🇷 of coach 𝑨𝒎𝒊𝒓 𝑨𝒃𝒅𝒐𝒖 for the match 🆚 Morocco 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/uHSuSoObtB
— FRIMM (@ffrim) March 26, 2024
2024-03-27 00:03:20
#Morocco #stalls #home
