Scotland vs Morocco stats and analysis: Morocco exploit Scotland’s mixed defensive approach

Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 to secure their first victory of Group C, putting them on four points after two games played.

Mohamed Ouahbi’s side took the lead after just 70 seconds, with Brahim Diaz setting up Ismael Saibari for his second goal of the World Cup, making it 1-0.

The second half saw Scotland throw more at Morocco, who defended well throughout the game, limiting them to just six shots in total, one big chance and just 0.54 expected goals.

Scotland could have had a penalty late in the game, as Scott McTominay went marauding into the box, looking to get it out of his feet and find a shot, before Neil El Aynaoui stepped across him and McTominay hit the deck.

Scotland’s mixed defensive approach

Scotland’s defensive approach felt over thought to cater towards Morocco’s main man, with Kieran Tierney looking to follow Achraf Hakimi with a man marking approach.

Steve Clarke set his side out in a 4-1-4-1 defensive shape, with Lewis Ferguson screening the back four and giving Scotland a +1 against Morocco’s front four.

This meant Scotland pressed with a -1 in the front line, with John McGinn, Ryan Christie and McTominay behind Che Adams.

But it was the mixed defensive approach of a more zonal 4-1-4-1 midblock, with Tierney following Hakimi in a man-oriented approach within that.

This made it extremely difficult for Scotland to jump out and apply pressure, with McGinn’s reference being Mazraoui, Christie and McTominay on the Morocco double pivot and Adams splitting the two centre-backs.

Where this presented issues for Scotland was down their left-side, as Hakimi’s movements opened up space on Morocco’s right for them to exploit.

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Morocco’s exploitation

Hakimi’s movement would drag Tierney away, leaving Scotland’s 4-1-4-1 looking more like a 5-1-3-1 with plenty of open space in Morocco’s right channel.

Morocco used a number of different rotations to exploit this space, with Brahim Diaz dropping from high to low, Azzedine Ounahi dropping in from a more advanced midfield area and even Saibari floating over from a centre-forward position to become the free man.

These rotations tested the Scotland defence and their willingness to follow their markers, which aside from Tierney on Hakimi, they often opted not to, staying in their shape and looking to deny space.

These moments therefore became more of an opportunity to accelerate play, getting one of their forwards on the ball in these right-sided channels to initiate those shifts of tempo.

Ismael Saibari

Saibari has had a brilliant start to the World Cup, scoring in both games, securing man of the match against Scotland and showing exactly why he is about to sign for Bayern Munich this summer.

The PSV Eindhoven attacking midfielder is coming off the back of a 19 goal season across all competitions, playing 39 times and also providing nine assists.

Saibari has the ability to play everywhere across the attacking line, playing most of his minutes as a number 10 this season, but showing his quality leading the line for his country and his ability in wide areas, often drifting into the channels to combine.

The 25-year-old is dynamic with his movement, varying whether he comes towards the ball to link play or makes runs in behind to threaten with depth, which was shown perfectly for his goal.

Saibari made a brilliant run between the two centre-backs just 67 seconds into the game, with Diaz picking him out perfectly.

But it was the composure from Saibari that was even better, hooking it back inside with his right-foot to improve his angle before smashing it past Angus Gunn in goal.

Late Scottish wave survived

Morocco were clearly on top in the first half, having 62% of the ball and controlling the game, despite only taking five shots, they managed to create three big chances.

However, through all of their control in the game, Scotland did have waves of threat at the back end of each half, which Morocco were able to withstand.

This was mostly through crosses at the back end of the first half, as Scotland threatened late on via an early cross from Nathan Patterson.

The cross bounced all the way through to Andy Robertson who whipped it back across the box at pace, finding McGinn at the back post who couldn’t apply the finish.

In the second half, as time ticked away, Scotland became more desperate, looking to be direct and find Lyndon Dykes and Ross Stewart through the middle.

This did cause a few issues late on, leading to a last minute corner for Scotland, but Morocco were able to withstand those late spells of pressure in both halves, securing all three points and their first win at this years World Cup.

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