Home / Sports / Morocco Bets on Youthful Midfield Against Netherlands
Morocco Bets on Youthful Midfield Against Netherlands
30 Jun
Summary
- Morocco's starting lineup features a young midfield pairing.
- Key players like Bounou, Hakimi, and Mazraoui are in the starting XI.
- The Atlas Lions enter the knockout stage unbeaten in the tournament.
Morocco's head coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, has revealed a dynamic starting lineup for the Atlas Lions' World Cup round-of-32 encounter with the Netherlands in Monterrey. The team is anchored by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and features a familiar defense with captain Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui at full-back. Issa Diop returns to central defense alongside Chadi Riad, forming the same unit that began Morocco's earlier group matches.
The midfield sees an exciting return for 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi, partnering Neil El Aynaoui. This youthful duo is expected to provide a technically strong base against the Netherlands' experienced midfield. Azzedine Ounahi and Bilal El Khannouss also feature, adding control and attacking impetus.
In attack, Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari are set to lead the line, with mobility and technical skill prioritized over a traditional center-forward. Experienced options like Sofyan Amrabat, Ayoub El Kaabi, and Soufiane Rahimi are available from the bench. Morocco advanced to this knockout match as an unbeaten Group C winner, having drawn with Brazil and defeated Scotland and Haiti.
