It is interesting how the media covers Team Melli ahead of the clash against Morocco tomorrow. In a kind of streotypical analysis. most if not all, focus on one player only and that is Sardar Azmoun. Very few have in-depth knowledge of Iranian football beyond Azmoun and Jahanbakhsh , which in itself is considered an advantage for Queiroz. Many give Iran little chance against Morocco and hence they are the underdogs.
However, at the coaching level , it is doubtful that Herve Renard wil be that naive. He will stress upon defense and Mehdi Benatiya very much in style of Queiroz.
It is a real opportunity for Iran to grab all the 3 points. Solid defense augmented by a superb forward line should be enough for Team Melli to get all the 3 points. Tactical discipline that Queiroz is quite strict at, should steer Team Melli to all the 3 points.
TEAM FACTS
IRAN
- Carlos Queiroz has had to prepare for his first game without young midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi, who is suspended, meaning veteran captain Masoud Shojaei should start in the middle of the park.
- The 34-year-old could play deep in midfield to allow Karim Ansarifad to start further upfield or in the number 10 role, with Omid Ebrahimi stepping in alongside Ehsan Hajsafi. There is always a chance that Chesmi might feature ion a defensive midfield role too. Dejagah is doubtful
- Alireza Jahanbakhsh, and striker Sardar Azmoun, are certain starters, Mehdi Taremi is still not fully recovered and might totally miss this game.
- Biranvand in goal, is a certainaty. However, this is the only chance that Queiroz might be tempted to pick Mazaheri or Abedzadeh. Surely Spain and Portugal are risky.
- One certain starter for the central defence is surely Morteza Pouraliganji . His partner maybe Montazeri, although MohammadReza Khanzad has
MOROCCO
- Herve Renard has good competition for places in his squad, particularly out wide, and in order to get as many of his best players in the XI as possible Nordin Amrabat will start at right-back with Nabil Dirar a doubt.
- That could mean a start for Schalke youngster Amine Harit, lining up on the opposite flank to Hakim Ziyech with Younes Belhanda given the free role in midfield.
- The main dilemma may be up front, where Ayoub El Kaabi is the man in form, while Khalid Boutaib’s goals helped Morocco qualify for their first World Cup in 20 years.
ADVANTAGE: IRAN