Football
Irfan Kawri, KweséESPN Opposition Analyst 6y

Opposition Scouting Report: How can Morocco beat Spain?

Spain have been somewhat unlucky to take only four points from their opening two matches after playing some excellent football, particularly against Portugal.

They'll be desperate to secure qualification for the Last 16 in style when they face Morocco in Kaliningrad on Monday, and unfortunately for the Atlas Lions, La Roja have a multitude of ways they can hurt the North Africans.

KweséESPN Opposition Analyst Irfan Kawri reveals how he believes Herve Renard's side can get one over on the 2010 world champions.

What are Spain's strengths?

As a team, they generally dominate possession, with all players being comfortable on the ball.

They are relentless in their belief and approach, and they will keep going and following their philosophy regardless of if the match is going their way.

Jordi Alba and Dani Carvajal offer width from full-backs and get high on the pitch, while Sergio Busquets has an excellent passing ability and is capable of launching attacking moves from a deep position.

Despite his advancing years, Andres Iniesta remains an experienced player who can dictate the tempo from midfield. His technical ability and movement remain top class.

David Silva is also comfortable on the ball and can make things happen. He's able to play in a teammate and create goalscoring opportunities at any moment.

Diego Costa is the team's goalscorer, and is dangerous in and around the box. He can bully defenders and really put himself about well.

Morocco will have to match him physically, or else he has the potential to be a real handful.

Isco is also a player that Renard must make a plan for; he showed some good attacking play, came came deep to receive the ball and drifted around effectively.

He showed the ability to accelerate with the ball and get at his opponents, beating them when he showed good quick feet and driving ability.

Morocco will have to get tight to him and be wary of him drifting central, deep or across. He has to be picked up at all times, and Karim El Ahmadi must be charged with keeping tabs on the playmaker and nullifying his threat.

When Spain get going, they can really wear the opposition down with their ability to keep the ball, demonstrating very good passing, movement, interchange and link-up play.

Renard must instil in his players the understanding that patience could be key against this Spain side, as only exceptional concentration and discipline will ensure the North Africans aren't opened up.

What are Spain's weaknesses?

Against Iran, Spain struggled to break them down and make any good attempts at goal. For all of their possession, they barely threatened.

Iran just dropped and got deeper as a team out of possession, and they had a back six behind a midfield three with the striker dropping in. It ensured they always had 11 behind the ball and closed down the space, leaving Spain frustrated.

At times, Spain had a really high line, with more or less the whole team - including Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos in the attacking third.

This left them vulnerable to the counter in transition, and they left bags of space in behind to exploit.

Morocco need to leave a player forward - although not the sluggish Khalid Boutaib - to give Spain something to think about. Iran didn't, and had no out ball.

In transition, if Morocco can get the ball they need someone ahead to play the ball to and ask them questions.

If they can stay in the game against Spain, the European giants will give away chances and Morocco must make sure they're ready to pounce.

Certainly, against Iran, the Spaniards looked vulnerable when Iran eventually did try to attack them.

Conclusion

Against Iran, Spain ultimately got the job done, and thoroughly dominated possession - as they will likely do again against Morocco.

Largely, however, the Asians frustrated La Roja, denying them space and getting men behind the ball.

When they did attack late on, Spain looked vulnerable, and Renard must ensure Morocco remain in the game before going for it and expressing themselves towards the latter stages.

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