Rabat – Hakim Ziyech made his Botafogo debut on Saturday, featuring for the entire second half of the team’s 2-0 defeat away to Mirassol in the Brazilian league.
Ziyech had initially been expected to receive only a short cameo as he worked his way back to full match fitness following a period without competitive football. Tite, however, changed those plans at the interval and introduced the winger for the second half.
The Botafogo coach explained that Ziyech’s qualities prompted him to bring forward the midfielder’s involvement.
“Ziyech provides individual technical quality. In fact, I brought forward his debut,” Tite said during his post-match press conference.
The Brazilian explained that the original plan had been to gradually introduce Ziyech with between 15 and 30 minutes on the pitch. The team’s needs, combined with what the Moroccan showed in training, ultimately convinced him to make the change earlier.
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“Given his quality and the team’s need, I decided at halftime to put him on the field, considering the quality the player had demonstrated,” he added.
Tite also outlined the different roles he sees Ziyech occupying within his attacking setup.
Rather than restricting the Moroccan to the wing, the coach indicated that he could operate in several positions depending on the demands of the match.
“Ziyech can play as a winger, a midfielder, or in the number 10 role, with creative freedom,” Tite said.
The 33-year-old was unable to change the outcome against Mirassol, but his introduction gave Botafogo an additional creative option during the second half.
Ziyech later acknowledged that he still needs time to regain his best physical condition after his extended period without regular competition.
He nevertheless expressed his desire to contribute with goals and assists while helping Botafogo create more opportunities.
The Moroccan’s first outing therefore offered an early indication of the role Tite could have in mind for him. Although his debut was initially supposed to be carefully managed, the coach’s decision to use him for 45 minutes suggests Ziyech’s technical qualities have already made an impression.
