World Cup 2022 – Spain – Morocco: Sofyan Amrabat, lion among the Lions

One day in October 2019, Ivan Juric, then on the bench of Hellas Verona, was clear when answering a journalist questioning him about a possible rest granted to poor Sofyan Amrabat, who stacked my matches together behind the others. “No, he’ll play till he don’t die“, released the one who is now on the bench of Torino, triggering laughter from the audience. A joke, certainly, but which has the merit of giving the idea of ​​​​the player that is Sofyan Amrabat. An all-terrain midfielder, capable to multiply the efforts, the races and to manage the two phases, defensive as offensive.An unparalleled scraper of balls, well helped by an imposing physique and a superior reading of the game.A steamroller who, once launched, is difficult to control. And which is probably revealed to the general public during this World Cup in Qatar with its selection of Morocco, which is preparing to play a historic quarter-final against Portugal, this Saturday (4 p.m.).

I know everyone is talking about Ziyech and Hakimi but I want to talk about AmrabatFabio Capello explained to Messenger Thursday. He is fundamental for the balance of his team, in addition to being a great runner: I read that he had traveled more than 14 kilometers in the round of 16 against Spain. I consider him the Gattuso of MoroccoThis is a nickname that should please the native of Huizen (Netherlands), who has been playing in Italy since 2019 and his loan to Hellas Verona, after spells at FC Utrecht (2014-2017), Feyenoord (2017-2018 ) and finally Club Brugge (2018-2020).

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Sofyan Amrabat, from a Moroccan family originally from Ben Tayeb and the youngest of four boys, including Nordin, also a professional footballer, has been wearing the Fiorentina jersey for two years now. At the time, in January 2020, the Viola recruited him for around twenty million euros with a view to a transfer the following summer, beating the competition from several Italian teams. “It was my dream to come and play in Italyhe confided last May to the club’s website. Serie A is one of the toughest leagues in the world.”

One of the best midfielders in this World Cup

All has not always been rosy for Amrabat in the Boot. Exceptional in the middle two of Hellas de Juric, he experienced a first slump when moving to three with Fiorentina of Vincenzo Italiano. But this season, placed back at the center of the project, the warrior is back at his level with, by the way, a record of seven consecutive yellow cards in Serie A. Not glorious, but symbolic of his renewal. At the Mondial, all the copies returned are close to very good. “I had the chance to comment on all of Morocco’s matches, and I can only confirm the fact that they are playing in a major World Cup.Témoigne Andrea Stramaccioni, consultant of the Rai au Qatar. I’m not just talking about his performance, but also about his personality. He’s more than a player.”

The World Cup has always been in the back of his mind for the past few months, and that’s largely understandable.we are told within Fiorentina. For him, it was a dream to wear the jersey of his country in such a competition. But despite this, Sofyan has always been exemplary, not skimping on his efforts on the pitch. Just look at the last match before the break against AC Milan at San Siro. Once again, he was the best on the pitch…” In Qatar, Amrabat perfectly embodies the spirit of the Atlas Lions. A team on a mission and with extra soul that knows how to combine heart, brain and legs. Abdelhamid Sabiri summed it all up in one sentence on a daily basis The Republic Thursday : “I’m not 100%, but I’m able to leave a leg for Morocco.”

It represents both the spirit, the heart and the balance of Moroccocontinues Stramaccioni. It is a selection that has made defensive organization its hallmark, even when facing big nations like Belgium, Croatia and Spain. She only conceded one goal during the competition… I think that Amrabat, thanks to the interpretation of his role as a midfielder in front of the defence, perfectly combines his qualities as a game organizer with those extraordinary as a protector of the defense. Against Spain, I remember seeing him defend and recover balls behind his two sides, in an area quite far from his skills. But always with a great ability to anticipate things, to see and read the game before others. He’s one of the best midfielders in this World Cup..”

Supporting figures, difficult to say otherwise. Amrabat is indeed the first of his selection in terms of successful passes (143), percentage of successful passes (87%), balls recovered (33) and balls intercepted (6). “He is magnetic“, summed up Opta when delivering the statistics of the Moroccan international. Of his four matches, he did not miss any: 390 minutes out of 390, not counting additional time. Walid Regragui would not do without it for nothing in the world.”He is the Casemiro of Morocco. He is everywhere“, wrote The Sports Gazette after performance”monstrous” from the midfield against La Roja. “He never tires. A real thorn in the side of the three Spanish midfielders who, before even imagining what they should do with the ball, find themselves on their heels with him“, reported Tuttosport.

It’s been two years that Sofyan has been the best player in the selectionassured Omar El Kaddouri, Moroccan international passed in particular by Napoli and Torino, at the Viola News site this week. He did not surprise me, since he has always been at this level in selection. He is doing an incredible World Cup. For me, it’s the best environment without a doubt. Against Spain, it was crazy. He was everywhere.”

Fiorentina want to extend it, but…

In Florence, Rocco Commisso is rubbing his hands. The owner of the Viola, aware of the dimension taken by a player to whom he remains very attached, expects to receive several phone calls for the next winter transfer window. For his entourage, it is already the case. “But the objective is above all to prolong it“, we are told within the Tuscan club, assuring in passing that a departure from the Moroccan international in January is “categorically to exclude“. The will of its leaders is to extend its current lease, which expires in 2024 with an option until 2025, by three years, with a salary of around 3 million euros.

According to the transalpine press, Liverpool would already be on the lookout to recruit him. But not only, since Sevilla FC, where Amrabat would find his compatriots Yassine Bounou and Youssef En Nesyri, would have already taken his ticket in the long line of courtiers. The interested party, happy in Florence, would however dream of playing in the Champions League in the more or less near future. But for now, all discussions for his future have been put on hold. The present is far too important. Saturday, he and his Atlas Lions can write the history of their country.

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