Bayern Duo Leads France Into Quarterfinals as Morocco Loses Star Midfielder

The World Cup quarterfinals kicked off with a France-Morocco rematch that looked a lot different than the 2022 semifinal. For one thing, Morocco walked out without Ismael Saibari, their most dangerous player so far this tournament.

Saibari tweaked his hamstring in Morocco’s Round of 16 win over Canada and couldn’t shake it in time. The 25-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder had been the engine of the Atlas Lions’ attack, creating chances and scoring when it mattered. Without him, Morocco had to lean on Bilal El Khannouss and Soufiane Rahimi to generate anything going forward.

That’s a big ask. El Khannouss starts on the wing for Morocco, but he’s also playing on thin ice. Another yellow card and he’d miss a potential semifinal. VfB Stuttgart fans better hope he stays clean.

Olise and Upamecano carrying the load

On the French side, Michael Olise has been the tournament’s best playmaker. Five assists in five games. The Bayern winger creates chances like it’s routine. But he’s also one yellow card away from a suspension after FIFA rejected France’s appeal to wipe his booking from the Paraguay game. Something to watch if this one gets chippy.

Dayot Upamecano, Olise’s Bayern teammate, has been a brick wall on the other end. He sits atop multiple defensive stats in the tournament. France needs that stability because Morocco is going to test them on the break.

Speaking of German connections, there’s Bundesliga DNA all over this lineup. Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui start at fullback for Morocco. Hakimi played for Dortmund. Mazraoui came through Bayern’s system. Manu Kone, who spent time at Gladbach, starts in midfield for France. And Ousmane Dembele, who won the DFB-Pokal during his one-year Dortmund stint back in 2016, starts on the wing.

France went with Maignan in goal, Digne and Kounde at fullback, Saliba and Upamecano in central defense. Kone and Rabiot in midfield. Doué, Olise and Dembele behind Mbappe up top.

Morocco countered with Bono in goal, a back four of Mazraoui, Salah-Eddine, Diop and Hakimi, a midfield three of El Aynaoui and Bouaddi, and an attack of Talbi, Ounahi, Diaz and El Khannouss.

No Saibari means Morocco’s path forward got steeper. But this team has surprised people before. France just has to hope their yellow card worries don’t turn into actual suspensions before the final whistle.

The winner gets either Argentina or Ecuador in the semis. No pressure.