Well-known journalist Roberto Morales told what he expects from one of the matches of the 1/4 finals of the 2022 World Cup, in which Morocco and Portugal will play today.
Roberto Morales“The most sensational playoff participant will face one of the contenders for globally great success.
At the group stage, the African team got ahead of the powerful Belgians with the Croats, and coped with the Canadians, and at the first stage of the playoffs, the wards of Walid Regrari created an extremely loud sensation in the confrontation with the Spaniards, breaking the resistance of the wards of Luis Enrique in the penalty shoot-out. So, having scalped one of the favorites, Morocco is now facing another.
Traditionally enough for the times of Fernando Santos, the Portuguese team did not indulge in a bright game in the group. In addition, she was defeated by the South Koreans. But in the 1/8 final, the team of Fernando Santos made it clear that they are able to play not only pragmatically, but also score six goals. An interesting situation has developed with the position of the central striker in this team. Cristiano Ronaldo, the world record holder both in terms of the number of games for the national team and the number of goals for national teams, was in the reserve. And the young striker of Benfica, Goncalo Ramos, who replaced him, scored a hat-trick against the Koreans.
Such a scenario makes us talk not only about the depth of the composition of Portugal, not only prompts thoughts about the change of generations (at least in a certain role), but also makes us look at the coach of the “European Brazilians” differently. Fernando Santos was often reproached for the fact that in the national team he simply goes with the flow, does not make vital decisions, and simply tries not to interfere with the players to play. So, after the castling of Ronaldo - Ramos, they talk about the coach as an influential leader with a hard hand.
Indeed, it seems that a huge ego is still preventing Ronaldo from properly integrating himself into the national team, but the coaching approach has allowed this process to not be defining for the Portuguese game. This will definitely come in handy in the confrontation with Morocco, but character will also be required. The Africans, as in their previous matches, will show maximum organization and discipline. So the Portuguese will have to sweat,” said Morales.
