Morocco-Brazil is a friendly and will be played on Saturday at 23:00: odds, predictions, statistics, insights
In the collective imagination, in addition to the overused images of Leo Messi clutching the World Cup as happy as a child, the World Cup in Qatar cannot fail to be associated with the resounding feat of Walid Regragui’s Morocco, the first African national team in history to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
A ride not even remotely imaginable before the event, given that according to initial forecasts the Lions of the Atlas were not even supposed to get past the group. Instead, Hakimi and his teammates stunned everyone, finishing ahead of the more emblazoned Croatia and Belgium and sending Spain and Portugal home in the knockout phase. Their amazing journey was interrupted in the semifinals, against reigning world champions France, who were able to pierce the Moroccan defensive wall in the first minutes – they had conceded only one goal until the match against the transalpines – upsetting what should have been the script of the match. Exhausted, Regragui’s men eventually surrendered to Croatia in the final for third and fourth place, missing out on a deserved podium finish.
Brazil, Menezes is the interim coach
In January Morocco were due to play some qualifying matches at the next African Cup of Nations but the matches with Sudan and Madagascar were postponed due to travel complications. The first outing since then is therefore the test with Brazil.
Menezes, Brazil’s interim coach
The Greenoro are in a diametrically opposite situation to the Moroccans. Qatar 2022 was a failure, the umpteenth, with the carioca selection eliminated in the quarter-finals by Croatia after penalty kicks. A tremendous disappointment given the high expectations: the first consequence was the resignation of Tite, who ended up in the dock. While waiting to find a replacement – big names are being mentioned, from Ancelotti to Zidane – at the helm of the Seleçao is Ramon Menezes, interim technical commissioner. It will be a very renewed Brazil that will face this friendly in Morocco: absent the injured Neymar, Raphinha, Martinelli, Alisson and Bruno Guimaraes will also be missing. Menezes could therefore give space in the match to those players who triumphed in the South American Under-20 Championship, such as Andrey, Vitor Roque, Robert Renan and Mycael.
The Prediction
Still on the wings of enthusiasm for their World Cup ride, Morocco will play in a festive mood against an experimental Brazil. Staying away from the final result, we assume a contest of at least one goal each, with the North Africans most likely to avoid defeat.
The Morocco-Brazil likely line-up
- MOROcco (5-4-1): Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, El Yamiq, Mazraoui; Ziyech, Ounahi, Amrabat, Boufal; En-Nesyri.
- BRASILE (4-3-3): Ederson; Emerson Royal, Bremer, Militao, Renan Lodi; Paqueta, Casemiro, Andrey; Antony, Rodrygo, Vinicius.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2
