Spain take on Morocco in their final Group B encounter at the World Cup, with La Roja requiring a point in order to confirm passage to the knockout rounds of the tournament.
Morocco, meanwhile, may be heading home, but that won’t stop the Atlas Lions from trying to exit the tournament with a roar rather than a whimper.
Here, we analyse the key tactical talking points ahead of the game.
A MATCH OF STYLES
Even though they’re in a commanding position to qualify from the group and their opponents are already out of the tournament, don’t expect Fernando Hierro to overload his team with changes.
Spain have not lost a game since they were knocked out of Euro 2016 by Italy, and are unbeaten in their last 22 matches – they won’t want that to change.
Morocco may be out but the Atlas Lions will want to leave Russia with pride, so expect them to come out and give Spain a game and play exactly how they have done in the previous two games – with plenty of style and flair.
Morocco coach Herve Renard has already said his team will go all out in their final showcase and aim to “finish with flying colours” though their desire to try and match Spain could play right into the hands of La Roja.
With the exciting array of talent the African side have at their disposal, like Hakim Ziyech, and attack-minded full-backs in Achraf Hakimi and Nabil Dirar, Morocco troubled Portugal no end but they will likely leave plenty of space for Spain to attack at the back.
Spain faced an aerial bombardment in their hard-fought 1-0 win over Iran, with 20 battles won in all in the air (Gerard Pique triumphing in eight alone). Against Portugal they only won 11.
Morocco will let their feet do the talking, which will be music to Spain’s ears.
ATLAS LIONS WILL ROAR ONCE MORE
Morocco have a case to put forward for being the unluckiest team in the tournament so far; they dominated Iran in their opener and bombarded European champions Portugal – but only have two 1-0 defeats to show for it.
They enjoyed a 67.8 to 32.2 per cent domination over Team Melli in possession and completed 81 per cent of their passes compared to Iran’s 51. They also bossed both categories (45.3 to 54.7 per cent possession and 72-76 per cent pass success) against Portugal, and rained down 15 shots on Rui Patricio’s goal compared to 10 from their opponents as they surged back after threatening to capitulate when falling 1-0 behind early on.
They have proven already that no matter who the opponent, they will play their expansive, attacking game, with every player on the field, bar the goalkeeper, getting involved.
Watford winger Nordin Amrabat, in danger of missing out against Portugal due to a concussion suffered in the opening game, started and epitomised Morocco’s tenacity this tournament. He tore Raphael Guerreiro to shreds as he embarked on six dribbles – the most of any Atlas Lion and two fewer than the entire Portugal team.
Morocco have fired in more shots than their opponents in each of their last six World Cup defeats (Portugal and Iran 2018; Brazil 1998; Netherlands, Saudi Arabia and Belgium in 1994), so expect them to have another crack at Spain in Kaliningrad.
TWEAKING THE FORMATION
With Spain likely to find themselves in a match with a side that, like themselves, play attractive football, you can expect Hierro to introduce a tweak in formation, with a possible return to the easier on the eye 4-2-3-1 we saw against Portugal in their explosive World Cup opener.
To combat the height and defensive nous of Iran, the former Real Madrid defender opted to shore up his XI and leave no holes for the number one ranked side in Asia to exploit, lining his side up in a more rigid 4-1-4-1 when not in possession.
Expect Sergio Busquets, who screened the defence superbly against Team Melli, to get some creative assistance this time around in order to counteract Morocco’s more natural attacking instincts.
Despite their narrow victory they did struggle to break down stubborn Iran, with Diego Costa’s goal a fortuitous one.
Atletico Madrid’s Koke was kept on the bench in Kazan, with Hierro opting instead for the pace and industry of Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez. But Koke should return here alongside the Barcelona lynchpin.
Another option for Hierro could be to rest the legs of veterans Andres Iniesta or David Silva and bring in Real starlet Marco Asensio to add further panache.
