Coach Walid Regragui said: “I think now the whole world is on Morocco’s side, comparing the team’s performance at the World Cup to the iconic Hollywood boxing movie.
Moroccan coach Walid Regragui called the Atlas Lions the “Rocky of this World Cup” to the team’s high expectations semi-finals with the defending champions France.
Regragui compares Moroccan team Fairy tales run in Qatar of fictional boxer Rocky Balboa in the iconic Hollywood movie rock – played by American actor Sylvester Stallone – tells the story of a young boxer who unexpectedly wins the world heavyweight boxing championship.
“We have made our people and continent very happy and proud,” energetic Regragui said in a press conference after the team’s final. 1-0 win over Portugal on Saturday night.
“When you watch Rocky, you want to support Rocky Balboa and I think we are the Rocky of this World Cup. I think now the world is with Morocco.”
Morocco will enter Wednesday’s match against the defending champions France after causing an upset Belgium, Spain and Portugal to become first African and Arab team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
And just like Rocky’s final showdown with rival Apollo Creed, a cunning Moroccan is looking to topple a world football heavyweight.
A victory over France, led by danger Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Girouxwill take the Atlas Lions to their first World Cup final.
“We can dream, why shouldn’t we dream of winning the World Cup?” asked Regragui, who took over as the team’s coach in August.
“You don’t lose anything to have a dream. European countries are used to winning the World Cup.”
France rumbled into Wednesday’s match yes beat England in the quarter-finals 2-1 on Sunday. Over the weekend, officials announced French President Emmanuel Macron going to Doha for the match against Morocco.
French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said on radio Franceinfo on Sunday: “The details of the trip have not yet been settled, but he has made this commitment.
Macron’s office announced last month that he would travel to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup if Les Bleus advance to the semi-finals.
“Congratulations [Les] Bleus!” Macron wrote on Twitter early Sunday after England’s win.
“The whole country is behind you: We will go to the end together. To the Moroccans: We salute your historic victory. See you in the semi-finals!”
Bravo aux Bleus! Tout le pay est derrière vous : nous irons au bout ensemble. Aux Marocains : nous saluons votre victoire historyque. Rendez-vous en semi-final! https://t.co/68vVkonPpE
– Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 10, 2022
