Morocco's French coach Henri Michel neatly summed up the task facing his side when they line out against champions and favourites Brazil in Nantes tonight when telling reporters yesterday: "Even when they are playing badly, the Brazilians are good."
On paper, Brazil v Morocco should provide fare for the most refined of appetites, bringing together two of the most technically accomplished sides seen so far at these finals. In theory, too, Morocco have every chance of giving Brazil a good game. In practice, it will be the biggest upset of France 98 so far if Brazil fail to beat the North African team.
As usual, Brazil come into the game submerged by a sea of critical advice. Four years ago, the side that won the US '94 World Cup was widely attacked in Brazil for being too negative and defensive in its attitude. Here, at France 98, this obviously more attacking side is under criticism for being allegedly weak at the back. The consensus of criticism is that Junior Baiano is a poor central defender, while the two full backs, Roberto Carlos and Cafu, spend too much time in attack and leave the side exposed. Brazilian commentators have also highlighted Scottish midfielder John Collins's comments after Scotland's 2-1 defeat by Brazil in the opening game to the effect that the Brazilian central defence seemed "very nervous".
Against the Moroccans, who opened so brightly with that 2-2 draw to Norway, the Brazilian defence will perhaps be tested. On the other hand, however, this is surely a game when Brazil's awesome firepower, in the shape of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Leonardo, Denilson and maybe Edmundo, will find room for some attacking pyrotechnics. A win will send Brazil through from Group A with a game to spare.
Zagallo looks almost certain to replace Barcelona midfielder Giovanni, who was substituted at half-time against Scotland after a disappointing performance, with Leonardo but is expected to keep the rest of the line-up unchanged.
The match promises to be emotional for Morocco coach Henri Michel, the former French international having spent his entire playing career at Nantes.
"To play Brazil is always a special match . . . because it's fabulous. To play against Brazil is extraordinary," said Michel, coach of the French team which knocked Brazil out of the World Cup on penalties in the 1986 quarter-finals.
Michel was also in charge when France beat Brazil in the 1984 Olympics, on a day when Brazil team captain Dunga was playing as a 20-year-old. Michel also played when France won a friendly in 1978.
He finally came unstuck against Brazil, however, as Cameroon coach in the last World Cup, losing 3-0 in a first round match.
Probable Teams
Brazil: Taffarel; Cafu, Aldair, Junior Baiano, Carlos, Sampaio, Dunga, Leonardo, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Bebeto.
Morocco: Benzekri; Saber, Naybet, Rossi, El Hadrioui, El Khalej, Hadji, Hadda, Chippo, Chiba, Bassir.
Key Player: El Moustafa Hadji.
Age: 26. CLUB: Deportivo La Coruna (Spain) El Moustafa Hadji (26) was without doubt the first overnight sensation of these World Cup finals. His overall performance, and not just his goal, against Norway in that opening 2-2 draw attracted a deal of favourable reviews as well as Italian Serie A club interest.
Hadji's technique, vision, dribbling and shooting abilities make him - dare one say it - almost `Brazilian' in style. Were it not for Morocco's obvious defensive weaknesses, his good work might well have set up a famous victory. Looking forward to tonight's game, he summed up his side's situation accurately, saying: "We've got to win the midfield battle, we've got to give our all . . . Anyway, we have nothing to lose and everything to gain."
