Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo may have to be patient as Portugal face Morocco

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  • Portugal head into their second Group B clash riding the crest of a wave after a stunning 3-3 draw with Spain.

    In contrast, Morocco, their opponents on Wednesday, will attempt to arise from the slump of a confidence-sapping 1-0 defeat to Iran.

    The Atlas Lions didn’t face a single shot in the second half, a testament to their stoicism, but substitute Aziz Bouhaddouz turned a header into his own net deep into injury time to break Morocco’s resistance and their hearts.

    Cristiano Ronaldo was the headline act of the first round of fixtures as he took centre-stage with a majestic 88th-minute free-kick sealing a hat-trick and a point against La Roja.

    Now, Portugal will aim to place one foot in the knockouts with victory at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. With that in mind, here’s a look at some key tactics for both sides.

    PATIENCE CAN BE A VIRTUE

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    Portugal will have to approach this fixture with a different mindset to their impressive hold of Spain.

    In that clash, Santos’ men countered with searing speed out of the back as virtually every Spanish player camped inside their half.

    When Portugal ransacked La Roja, Cristiano Ronaldo and Goncalo Guedes advanced up the pitch and held on to the ball superbly with only the poor decision-making of the latter denying them clear daylight.

    Against Morocco, however, they will be expected to get on the front foot and break down what is a compact and narrow challenger.

    The North Africans are far more comfortable jousting on the backfoot and slinging up the other end with their pacey playmakers than they are taking the initiative as they struggled to do against Iran.

    The pressure and expectancy is on Portugal and they may have to bide their time before fashioning clear openings. Ronaldo has a tendency to get frustrated when things aren’t going his way and ensuring he retains his cool to plunder when they appear is paramount.

    RETURN OF NABIL DIRAR 

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    The sight of experienced right-back Nabil Dirar finally returning to full training last week delighted the fervent Morocco fans but Renard faces a dilemma in whether or not to reinstate the 32-year-old.

    He missed both warm-up games for Russia with a calf injury and Nordin Amrabat uncomfortably took his place.

    The Watford winger is a massive doubt having been wiped out in the second half of the opener with Iran and later coming off with concussion.

    However, Dirar was expected to miss the entire tournament and it remains to be seen as to whether the Fenerbahce defender is anywhere near close to 100 per cent fit.

    With Bruno Fernandes on the left of Portugal’s midfield and a roaming Ronaldo often drifting out to the wing, it could present a big problem for Morocco if he isn’t at the races.

    PORTUGAL PICK UP OFF RONALDO

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    It’s difficult to avoid the one-man team narrative with the European champions given yet another absurd performance from Ronaldo, but these are the types of fixtures his teammates simply have to stand up and make their mark.

    Guedes failed to take the chances presented to him against Spain, while fellow attackers Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva were uncharacteristically quiet.

    Boss Santos is growing increasingly frustrated with questioning on Portugal’s heavy reliance on their talisman but he needs big performances from the undoubted quality complimenting their fierce forward.

    “Football is not an individual sport, it is a team sport. It is not just about Cristiano Ronaldo,” Santos said this week.

    “We are a team who wants to do well, not a sum of individuals who want to beat records.”

    With Ronaldo sure to occupy plenty of attention from the Morocco defenders, there will to be pockets of space in behind and whether it be Guedes or Silva in alongside him, or the two wide men, those gaps must be exploited.

    There are even options from the bench to profit with Ricardo Quaresma capable of an impact. Ronaldo does not have to do the job alone, but it requires his teammates to show they’re worthy of alleviating some responsibility off the 33-year-old’s shoulders.

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