Scotland Coach Clarke Says Morocco Stronger Than 2022 Side After Morocco Draw With Brazil

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke said the Morocco side his team will face on Friday is stronger than the one that reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup. Clarke spoke after Scotland opened their tournament with a 1-0 win over Haiti, a result that came hours before Morocco drew 1-1 with Brazil.

Clarke answered “absolutely” when asked if Morocco would pose as stern a threat as Brazil to his side in Group C.

“We are under no illusion about the size of the task,” he said. “I feel Morocco are a really, really good side. ” “For me they are the real deal, a top side,” he said. ” Scotland used a 4-4-2 formation against Haiti but deployed a back three in a March friendly against Côte d’Ivoire.

Clarke said the team has prepared multiple systems. “Every system that we have ever played, we have put a lot of work into,” he said. ” Clarke, 62, said Scotland expect Morocco to control more possession.

“We give them a lot of respect,” he said. “We expect they will probably have more of the ball, more possession. ” Clarke also offered condolences to the family of Donnie Strathie, a 76-year-old Scotland supporter who died in Boston after the Haiti match.

“In among all the good news that has come out the World Cup for Scotland, that is obviously very sad for his family; his daughters, his grandchildren,” Clarke said.