Spain coach Luis Enrique gave his workforce a singular task following a penalty shootout loss to Italy finally yr’s European Championship.
“I told my players they have homework ahead of the World Cup. You need to take at least 1,000 penalties with your club,” Luis Enrique recounted Monday. “We can’t just work on it in our training camp with the national team.”
While Spain is hoping it received’t come right down to a shootout in opposition to Morocco within the spherical of 16 on Tuesday, a minimum of the workforce is effectively ready if it does get to that time.
MAR vs ESP Predicted lineups:
Morocco: Bounou; Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Sabiri; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
Spain: Simon; Alba, Laporte, Rodri, Carvajal; Gavi, Busquets, Pedri; Olmo, Morata, Torres
Spain was additionally eradicated in a penalty shootout on the 2018 World Cup, by host Russia.
“It doesn’t just depend on luck. It’s a moment of the highest pressure. If you’ve trained for that often, then the way you take a penalty will improve,” Luis Enrique mentioned. “Obviously you cannot train for the pressure and the tension. But it’s manageable. You can cope with that pressure.”
Ferran Torres transformed a penalty for Spain in its opening 7-0 win over Costa Rica.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón saved two penalties in a shootout win over Switzerland earlier than the loss to Italy at Euro 2020.
“The goalkeepers are ready, too. You’ve seen it in our training sessions,” Luis Enrique mentioned by means of a translator. “It’s homework that we’ve taken into account.”
Morocco has been one of many greatest surprises of the match by profitable a troublesome group forward of 2018 finalist Croatia and 2018 semifinalist Belgium.
Morocco conceded just one objective in its three group matches and the workforce has large help in Qatar because the final of the 4 Arab qualifiers nonetheless enjoying — and now the final African workforce, too, after Senegal was eradicated by England on Sunday.
“Everyone wants to come to Doha,” mentioned Morocco coach Walid Regragui, who solely took over his workforce in August. “We could fill two stadiums.”
As shut neighbors, there are additionally numerous ties between Morocco and Spain.
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and striker Youssef En-Nesyri each play in Spain for Sevilla. Talented proper again Achraf Hakimi, a Paris Saint-Germain participant, was born in Madrid. Regragui performed in Spain with Racing Santander.
Many of Morocco’s gamers communicate Spanish and the workforce’s medical employees is Spanish.
“Morocco is a country for which we have a great relationship,” Luis Enrique mentioned. “It’s a festival of football.”
Spain additionally met Morocco within the groups’ ultimate group sport in 2018, which ended 2-2.
“They play a possession game, which is very difficult for the opponent but also for people watching,” Regragui mentioned. “Tak, tak, tak, tak, tak until the players are tired.”
For inspiration, Morocco is seeking to Japan’s win over Spain within the ultimate set of group video games, when Japan had solely 17% of the possession.
“We need to have a strong head. We need to accept that they’re going to play a possession game,” Regragui mentioned. “Spain won’t know what to do with all that ball possession — that’s our plan.”
The winner will face both Portugal or Switzerland for a spot within the semifinals.
(by way of AP)
When and the place to observe
When will the Morocco vs Spain Round of 16 match kick-off?
The Morocco vs Spain Round of 16 match will kick-off at 8:30 pm IST, December 6.
Where will the Morocco vs Spain Round of 16 match kick-off?
The Morocco vs Spain Round of 16 match will kick-off at Stadium 974.
Where are you able to watch the Morocco vs Spain Round of 16 match in India?
The Morocco vs Spain Round of 16 match shall be telecasted stay on Sports18 and Sports18 HD. On Android and effectively as iOS, the 2022 FIFA World Cup shall be stay streamed on JioCinema.
Where are you able to watch the Morocco vs Spain Round of 16 match exterior India?
Argentina – Live Stream: Telemundo
United States – TV: FOX, Telemundo; Live Stream: fuboTV, Fox Sports app, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo
Canada – TV: CTV, TSN; Live Stream: fuboTV, TSN app
United Kingdom – TV: BBC One; Live Stream: BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website
Australia – TV: SBS; Live Stream: SBS On Demand
New Zealand – TV: Sky Sports; Live Stream: Sky Sport
Malaysia – TV: RTM, Astro; Live Stream: Astro Go
Singapore – TV: Mediacorp Channel 5; Live Stream: StarHub TV+, IPTV, Singtel TV
Hong Kong – TV: BeIN Sports, ITV; Live Stream: Now TV, ViuTV
Nigeria – TremendousSport and Showmax Pro.
Get all the outcomes for the FIFA World Cup 2022 right here: Full listing of all matches, scores, outcomes, goalscorers