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Rabat – France’s coach Didier Deschamps has described Morocco’s Atlas Lions as a squad with “very, very good players,” stressing he knows they are not an easy opponent.
“They are not here by accident. It’s a matchup between two teams that like to have the ball, like to attack, and like to score goals,” Deschamps said during a pre-match conference today.
Morocco is facing France in a thrilling quarterfinal on Thursday at 9 p.m Moroccan time in Boston. The game is already giving fans chills, with the Atlas Lions fans seeking a win over Les Bleus, which ended their historic World Cup journey in Qatar in the semi-finals.
“We’ll have to perform at a very high level tomorrow because this Moroccan team is of very high quality,” Deschamps told the press, adding that his staff and his personal objective is to “do everything possible to make sure things go well.”
He stressed that his sole focus now is on the Moroccan national team and on making sure things go “our way.”
Asked if all his players will be ready for tomorrow’s game, Deschamps said he still does not have all the information.
“I can’t tell you much more than that,” assuring the press that Aurelien (Tchouaméni) is feeling better, but he is the only one his staff still need to assess.
“He’s improving,” the coach added.
Deschamps also answered questions regarding the Atlas Lions’ progress since the 2022 World Cup, stating that although there has been a change in terms of coaches and tactics, he is not sure whether “if it’s really progress.”
“They have certainly maintained their level, as shown by reaching the AFCON semifinal and final. They have very good players who know my players very well, and my players know them too, since some of them play for the same clubs and are even friends.”
He acknowledged, however, that whenever there is a change of a coach, there are always small tactical differences.
