Taffarel can be an unreliable goalkeeper who is prone to making mistakes through what look like nerves. He cannot be certain of claiming a goal when he comes to meet a cross and his handling has looked poor at the highest level yet he has found favour again with coach Mario Zagallo who has recognised that he is still the best goalkeeper in Brazil despite his faults. The Brazilians enjoy long periods of possession during the game and so Taffarel's concentration is often tested and he maintains it well but there is the constant air of fragility about him and he can be moody,throwing his defenders into confusion. He has good reflexes but does not dominate his area.
The most experienced Moroccan goalkeeper and unlikely to
be displaced during the World Cup by any of his younger
rivals. A captain for his club he comes for crosses well and
has reasonable reflexes although can be quite static and has
had trouble adjusting to the new back pass rule.
The left back who can also push into midfield but is used to
playing with either a back four or a sweeper. A good tackler
with sometimes uneven distribution from the wing he rarely
gets forward enough to deliver crosses or create a spare
man in attack. Played in the last two World Cup Finals.
Played two matches in the last World Cup Finals and plays at
present for resurgent Portuguese giants Benfica. He enjoys
attacking but his contribution is limited to some fairly
extravagant shooting and he has scored only once for the
national side. A strong challenger for the ball in defence and
some experience of man marking.
Primera Liga experience with La Coruna has given his game
the gloss that emerges with high class competition, Naybet is
an excellent captain and a joy to watch as a sweeper in a
system that looks good when it works for Morocco. His ability
makes it work and he is a fine passer and runner with the ball
who can inspire the entire team. This is his second World
Cup Finals and he will not look out of place. Good in the air
and a tough tackler as well.
A very hard man in the defence who has had to curb some of
his aggressive instincts with Rennes in the French league.
Well used to the conditions of French football, he is a very
popular figure with the Rennes fans who enjoy his speed and
force in the tackle. He will need to be careful not to fall foul of
the new rule on the tackle from behind but he is the main
winner of the ball for his side.
Fast full-back who can produce effective one-twos to work
the ball down the right side of the field from where he can
deliver good crosses. His main duty is defence and he uses
his speed well to cover for his team mates. A good header of
the ball but is not a main feature of any attacking moves
developed by the side under Henri Michel.
A good passer in midfield but who can be beaten in
possession. Not strong in the air but contributes well to the
linking of defence and attack and has a good first touch. Two
good feet and he likes to shoot and he could present a threat
from midfield if not marked when he runs forward. Chiba is
more likely to do this than be relied upon for heavy defensive
duties.
He is not a certain starter but is a good technical player who
has gained good experience under Michel. Part of the
machine rather than the driver of it in midfield, Chippo will
sometimes drift too far from a game to look very impressive.
The superstar of Moroccan football where his exploits in the
Primera Liga for La Coruna are eagerly followed, Hadji is a
fine runner and passer of the ball who has fine vision. THe
games in France will reveal his true quality at this level and
whether he can dictate a game at the very highest level.
Loves to set off on weaving runs and is a good shot, Hadji
gets to see more of the ball in midfield than any other player.
He may have to deal with man marking as well this summer.
He can play in defence or midfield where he is used in the
holding role in front of the defence and as extra cover for
Naybet when the sweeper is in the mood. Tall and a good
header of the ball he favours the right side of the team but is
adaptable. Uses the ball well with short passes for others to
run on to.
A player for Strasbourg this season so very familiar with
French conditions and European football. Two good feet and
a neat and tidy passer who is not a great presence in
midfield and who lacks force and power in his running.
Slow moving but deceptive. He has good control and a
reasonable scoring rate for the national side. He is unlikely to
produce by himself and he relies on others to provide but he
holds the ball well and is a willing shot. He is good against a
man marker if one is used against him and is ready to go
wide and drop deep and take the man out of defence for
others to use the space.
Nearly a goal every two games for Morocco, which is the definition of a top striker at international level, Bassir is another player for La Coruna and he scored regularly on the Moroccan procession through the qualifiers. Quiet lately and saving himself for the tests ahead he is the nearest they have to a natural finisher and he turns and shoots well.
