Spain vs Morocco - Round of 16, 6 December

[KingsX]

Game's underway folks!

[marbles]

Looks like Spain may be taking them lightly

[Balj]

Think only 2 recognised defenders on for Spain - might regret that

 

[marbles]

Geez

Rather than the 4th or 5th tie breaker for group stage being discipline - they need to change it to time spent in oppositions half. Anything to put an end to 11 behind the ball

Edited 6 December 2022 by marbles

[marbles]

Goalie tempting fate

[Balj]

1 minute ago, marbles said:

Geez

Rather than the 4th or 5th tie breaker for group stage being discipline - they need to change it to time spent in oppositions half. Anything to put an end to 11 behind the ball

Agreed - bookings are often a sign of effort which is good. Even number of corner kicks forced might be more encouraging of attacking football

[marbles]

Spains coach looks like a homeless Jose Mourinho

[davieG]

13 minutes ago, Balj said:

bookings are often a sign of effort which is good.

And very subjective. When you think Mexico were nearly set to go out on bookings

[marbles]

How did they miss that

[KingsX]

23 minutes ago, marbles said:

Looks like Spain may be taking them lightly

 

Maybe they just don't feel it, playing in borrowed Uruguayan kit?  Looks like they may finally be getting into the match.

[Finnegan]

I know Spain are good but that Morocco low block is hideous

 

Japan pressed, harried, got on the front foot and countered. Morocco just waiting for pens already

[marbles]

If Morocco score first, this will get so slow that it will probably put the stadium to sleep

[Balj]

1 minute ago, Finnegan said:

I know Spain are good but that Morocco low block is hideous

 

Japan pressed, harried, got on the front foot and countered. Morocco just waiting for pens already

It's not pretty but I think they have to play to their strengths. Japan had huge amounts of physical endurance and team cohesion. Suspect Morocco have to rely on individual brilliance through a one-off attack or set-piece and not concede in the meantime. If Spain are the team they should be they should be able to pass through the low block better than most.

[Arriba Los Zorros]

Come on Spain. This is basically football vs anti-football. 

[foxes_rule1978]

Morocco with the better chances, nullifying Spain and using their pace to create themselves 

[StanSP]

Cagey game. 

[KingsX]

"A fascinating tactical battle" says Ian Darke.  I'll give him "tactical battle", but not "fascinating".

 

What face are the UK announcers putting on it?

[StanSP]

Just now, KingsX said:

What face are the UK announcers putting on it?

Trying to make it sound exciting during the game. 

[foxes_rule1978]

It’s not exciting but I’m sure Morocco will be happy, at the moment it is fairly comfortable for them, to just sit in and when they win the ball they move it quickly and direct. 

[TJQuik]

Best round of 16 match so far.

[Ric Flair]

I have a soft spot for Morocco this tournament.

[Balj]

Really like the Morocco fans 

[CosbehFox]

28 minutes ago, StanSP said:

Trying to make it sound exciting during the game. 

Good to see someone can understand Hartson. By far the worst pundit/co comms on British TV. He’s just been waffling on some monologue about West Ham 

[Raj]

Think Spains tippy tappy style has ran its course now.

Its tedious to watch without the intensity and end product.

Be happy to see Morocco  nick one, the way the Spaniards  manufactured Germany out of the WC last week.

Karma

 

[Arriba Los Zorros]

This is controversial but I reckon Spain are pretty ineffective at breaking teams down, even more so when Morata is not upfront.