Brahim excels for Morocco as Spain are held to a draw
After the daisy was plucked by choosing Morocco over Spain, it took just two games to convince the coach of the Atlas Lions. The Real Madrid star has had a near-perfect fit with the Moroccan side. Brahim Diaz was the last piece Morocco coach Walid Regragui needed to complete his midfield.
- Is Brahim Diaz an underrated player?
- Is Brahim one of the best debutants in Morocco's history?
- Does Morocco have the ability to repeat the feat of the 2022 World Cup?
The Real Madrid player's appearance could be significant at the start of the new project, which was a big surprise ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, aimed at laying the foundations for his versatility on the pitch.
He was given the number 10 shirt, but it doesn't seem like a simple gesture for a sought-after player. "To get him to come to Morocco, we had to convince him. It was simple: offer a project in a country with ambition," said the coach. The communion between Brahim Diaz and the fans is total.
With only two training sessions before the match against Angola, Brahim has already shown on the pitch why he deserves to be considered a " big player ". His role in Morocco seems to revolve around the front line. He is always responsible for making plays for a team that lacks talent in three quarters of the pitch.
Is Brahim Diaz an underrated player?
Despite always having a secondary role in his teams, Brahim Diaz has finally exploded. Always in the background, he never shied away from his dream of playing football. Throughout his career, he has been a player that everyone has raved about but who, all too often, has always been demanded and has had to adapt to playing for others, and not the other way around.
This is further proof that Morocco wants to build a competitive team around the Madrid player. The opportunity to play for Morocco has not only been a huge leap for the World Cup semi-finalist, but it has also meant that Díaz has been able to feel like a key player in a project that seems to have no ceiling.
Brahim is aware that there is a clear difference between the role he has assumed in Carlo Ancelotti's team in recent months and the role that Regragui could demand. In his first two games in a Morocco shirt, against Angola and Mauritania, the new Moroccan '10' almost always acted as a hook, linking up plays in midfield areas and allowing his team-mates to attack.
Morocco wants to create plays based on his abilities. Whether in a 4-3-3 as an attacking interior player who moves freely in various zones, or the 4-2-3-1, where he is the central axis as a playmaker, Brahim Diaz is the core of the attack.
Is Brahim one of the best debutants in Morocco's history?
The Malagueño put in a great performance on the pitch with great technique, and this was confirmed by the big data, giving him an 8.5 and 7.5 rating in both matches. Putting those numbers into perspective, there has only ever been one better debutant in European football, Manchester City striker Haaland with Norway averaging 8.3.
From the very first moment, Brahim understood what Morocco's passion and excitement for football is all about when, on hearing the national anthem and seeing his grandmother's joy, he showed his sensitive side.
This match, like the Angola game, had everything to be another showcase for Brahim and his team. The first half was marked by a midfield battle as Morocco struggled to break through Mauritania's solid defence.
سعيد بمباراتي الأولى رفقة المنتخب الوطني! أحاسيس رائعة في أول حضور لي هنا! شكرا على دعمكم،شكرا أكادير!
— Brahim (@Brahim) March 23, 2024
🦁🇲🇦❤️ pic.twitter.com/pgTIbI1At6
Despite the late equaliser against Mauritania, the Atlas Lions' superiority was reflected in their 74% possession of the ball, even if it did not translate into goals at the Grand Stade d'Agadir. It was a close game.
The Moroccan coach himself confirmed this after the game when he spoke to the TV right after the match, admitting that his team made mistakes and "fell into the trap" of the Mauritanians. Despite dominating possession, Morocco struggled to find space in their opponents' box, while Mauritania organised their defence well and waited patiently for the opportunity to counter-attack.
Does Morocco have the ability to repeat the feat of the 2022 World Cup?
The Atlas Lions have not achieved recent success by chance. Packed with stars, the Alawi side is one of the teams to watch for the upcoming tournaments. The combination of players playing in the big leagues and players from local teams is perfect.
While some bring experience, others reflect the passion for football that this golden generation has brought to the hearts of the fans.
This new dimension of Moroccan football creates more expectations among fans, which increases the attractiveness of Moroccan football and the businesses that surround it. Better audiences, more investment and greater prosperity for this beautiful game.
