Former Moroccan star Aziz Bouderbala gave an interview to Agence France-Presse, in which he expressed his joy at what his country’s national team has achieved.
“We are among the top four teams in the world,” said Bouderbala.
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Bouderbala elaborated on his speech about the Moroccan fans, his assessment of the team and his expectations for the upcoming matches, expressing his happiness for the “Atlas Lions” who will play the semi-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup against France on Wednesday first time in history, surpassing the 1986 generation that led it to reach the final quotation.
How do you experience epic Morocco?
“What is happening to us is exceptional. This is a historic qualification, not only for Morocco, but for the Arab countries, especially for the African continent. Here at the World Cup in Qatar, things are happening that have never been seen before, with Morocco qualifying for the semi-finals. Things didn’t end there, we aspire to reach the final. We are among the four best teams in the world, it’s incredible, it’s madness!”
Do you have any regrets about having stopped in the round of 16 of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico?
“Yes, yes (laughs)! We always asked ourselves this question, our team in 1986 could have gone further, but unfortunately we fell to West Germany, which reached the final. Against another team, and with the quality of players we had at the time, we could have reached the quarter-finals.”
Do you have any news from Morocco?
“What’s happening there is crazy! Everyone has been out for three games. What happened on Saturday in all the cities of the country was fantastic. Not only in Morocco, but in all Arab countries. It’s incredible.”
What do you think about the work of coach Walid Rekraki?
He managed to unite everyone. He played on the mental rope of the players, because it’s the same team as Wahid Halilodjic (the Bosnian coach sacked a few months ago). He changed his style completely, switching to a 4-1-4-1 which has worked well so far.
The team conceded only one goal and it came by mistake. Regragui gave confidence, created the atmosphere and told them: “Let go of the complex of saying that we are facing the best international teams, with the best players in the world, and that they are in the first category while we are in the third category ”. Never, you guys like them, play for big clubs like them.”
How do you rate this team?
Morocco has a distinctive style, with quirks. It is the most elusive team in the finals. Leave possession to the opposition, but get the ball out with short passes and a change of play. I found that Morocco used the vertical game a lot. In two or three passes they reach the sixteenth box of the opposing team.”
Are you afraid of tiredness and absences against France?
“Maybe before, but after the entry of the likes of Badr Bannon, Ashraf Dari or Jawad al-Yamiq, they coped well with the circumstances. I think captain Roman Saiss will be there. Nayef Akrad, no. But Naseer’s replacement Mazraoui, Yahya Atiyatullah, was among Portugal’s best against is on the left, and passed the ball for goal.
This team is great. He ran a lot, got tired a lot, with injured players like Hakimi, and also Ziyech visiting the clinic after every game, and Amrabat is in pain… every time we say he will collapse. But no, they always play with the same rhythm and the same will to win.”
How do you expect the semifinals?
France are the best team in the world right now, the defending champions. Honestly, I think all Moroccans wanted to play against France, because we know French football very well and we love the players. We preferred France to England, the two countries know each other very well.”
