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AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho has lauded Morocco's excellent tactics while singling out midfielder Azzedine Ounahi for special praise
Morocco defeated Portugal 1-0 to qualify for a historic World Cup quarter-final on Saturday putting up a highly spirited performance that lefty the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager hugely impressed.
Mourinho praises Morocco
“When I saw the game [against Portugal] starting and the team without Mazraoui and Nayef Aguerd, I thought problems to Morocco but it was not a problem,” said Mourinho.
“When I saw Romain Saiss in the beginning of the second half, their captain their leader, the centre-back, a crucial position in that kind of match, when I saw him leave also injured, I thought big problems for them but it was not a problem.
“The coach organised the team very well, starting with 4-3-3, he was able to change during the game to 5-4-1. He saw the danger, he saw Portugal accumulating lots of players in finishing areas and he found a way to control the game.
“They have individuals, Yassine Bounou was an individual during the competition and in this game was the same, Sofyan Amrabat, I know him from Italian football, a very good player but their No.8, the young boy that plays in France in Angers, Ounahi was absolutely incredible. So, they have players, a coach, and an incredible spirit.”
Morocco's route to the semi-final
Morocco have resilience and tenacity and it has seen them become a revelation at the tournament, reaching the semi-final. They have had to work hard to achieve this incredible feat. Keeping Croatia, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal at bay while conceding just once.
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Midfielder Ounahi has been one of their top performers and Mourinho is now the second coach to single him out for praise after former Spain coach Luis Enrique lauded him for making life difficult for his team in the Round of 16.
Morocco have a date with France in the semi-final when they hope to continue their fairytale run by reaching the final of the Qatar 2022 World Cup
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