MOROCCO – GEORGIA | Thursday 5 pm
The objective of Walid Regragui’s Morocco at the forthcoming World Cup is to do better than four years ago. In Russia, in fact, the expedition of the Lions of the Atlas was decidedly unsuccessful: they finished without a single victory. In Qatar, on the other hand, the chances of qualifying for the knockout phase – which this selection has not reached since 1986 – are not slim. What is certain is that they will have to oust one of the two favourites for the passage to the round, Belgium and the vice world champions Croatia. In short, Morocco are not favourites with either of them, but they can still take their chances, given the fact that their squad includes such important players as Hakimi, Ziyech, Amrabat and En-Nesyri. Not forgetting the ‘Italians’ Sabiri and Cheddira, who play for Sampdoria and Bari respectively.
Unbeaten for five consecutive matches, Morocco, like the other African national teams, qualified through the play-offs, beating Democratic Republic of Congo by a total of five goals in the first leg. Previously, it had won its elimination round with six wins out of six. In short, the improvements over the past four years have undoubtedly been there, now it is time to prove it on the field. In the only friendly before the debut against the Croatians, meanwhile, they face a selection that will not be in Qatar but is working to not miss the next edition.
This is Georgia, a representative team on the rise, and not only because of the presence of the young Napoli phenomenon Kvicha Kvaratskhelia (who, by the way, will not be in the match due to the lumbago that has prevented him from playing the last championship matches with the Azzurri). Led by former French defender Willy Sagnol, the Caucasians are on the rise and their promotion to the Nations League B is confirmation of this. In 2022, the Georgians have yet to lose a match: only five national teams currently boast this record.
The Prediction
A friendly match if serves almost exclusively for Morocco to prepare for the already crucial opening match against Croatia. Georgia, despite being without Kvaratskhelia, should give the North Africans a run for their money, scoring at least one goal
The Morocco-Georgia team’s likely line-up
- MOROcco (4-3-3): Bounou; Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, Allah; Jabrane, Ounahi, Amrabat; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Aboukhlal.
- GEORGIA (3-4-3): Loria; Kvirkvelia, Kashia, Tabidze; Kiteishvili, Gaburjania, Davitashvili, Kvekveskiri; Chakvetadze, Kvilitaia, Lobzhanidze.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2