Morocco coach Walid Regragui will be counting on Hakim Ziyech when the Atlas Lions face Croatia in their World Cup opener on Wednesday.
Regragui’s side have a tough match against the 2018 finalists who have some of the world’s top players, including Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric, and while he is confident in the qualities of his team, the former Wydad Casablanca coach expects the Chelsea winger to bring out his ‘A’ game.
“We have good players, I believe in our preparation in our collective, it will not be easy to play for sure,” Regragui said during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
“The Croats are the favourites in this match, they played the last final and have a Ballon d’Or in the person of Luka Modric. But we have players like Ziyech, Mazraoui or Boufal, we don’t focus on Modric”.
“What is important is to be consistent in the game, with or without the ball. You have to know what to do with it, with the ball. It will be a real tactical and technical match. The midfield will be important.”
“Ziyech is a top player. He hasn’t enjoyed the same confidence at the club, but we need his best version. We need his qualities. I look forward to his return. The country needs him and loves him. I’m not worried about him, he’ll be 100 per cent tomorrow.”
