Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup semi-final against France, Morocco manager Walid Regragui has said that he won’t be devising an anti-Kylian Mbappé (23) plan, adding that his direct opponent on the night, Paris Saint-Germain teammate Achraf Hakimi (24) is “highly motivated to beat his friend.”
Mbappé is the top scorer in the tournament with five goals. In the run-up to France’s quarter-final against England, much was made of the way in which the Three Lions would minimise the threat posed by the PSG forward. Ultimately, however, the much-hyped Kyle Walker-Mbappé battle underwhelmed, with only one footrace between the pair.
Regargui, whose Morocco side have surprised throughout the tournament, beating Spain and Portugal along the way has said that he hasn’t devised an anti-Mbappé plan. “We won’t make an anti-Mbappé plan because unfortunately, there isn’t just him. When we know the level of Antoine Griezmann between the lines… but Hakimi is a big champion so I’m not worried,” he said.
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Hakimi is set to face off against his friend in the semi-final. The Moroccan right-back joked with Mbappé back in January 2022, that the pair would meet in the World Cup, with Hakimi joking that he would kick Mbappé. Regragui spoke about their upcoming battle: “They are two champions, who won’t be giving away any gifts. Achraf is highly motivated to beat his friend.”