Sofyan Amrabat reveals he begged Olivier Giroud to stop ‘following me everywhere’ during Morocco’s semi-final defeat… but the French star told him he had been instructed to man-mark him for the whole game!
Sofyan Amrabat has revealed he pleaded with Olivier Giroud to stop man-marking him in the semi-final, where France beat Morocco to end the African side’s World Cup dream in Qatar.
The Fiorentina midfielder said that he asked the AC Milan striker to ‘Just stop!’ following him around the pitch. The Moroccan claims the French side resorted to man-marking in order to restrict the Atlas Lions in the clash, which Les Bleus won 2-0.
Having beaten Belgium, Spain and Portugal to become the first African side ever to reach the semi-finals, Morocco’s dream was ended by France in a 2-0 victory, though Amrabat has personally had a breakout competition.
Sofyan Amrabat revealed that he spoke to Olivier Giroud during Wednesday’s semi-final clash
‘They left our centre-backs alone,’ the midfielder – who has been linked with a switch to Liverpool – said to NOS after the game. ‘Their striker, Olivier Giroud, was following me everywhere all over the midfield!
‘I said to him, “Just stop!” but he replied that he was instructed to follow me for the whole game.’
‘We feel very bitter that we couldn’t do more. France let us have the initiative from the start, so I guess that’s a compliment really.
The French striker was tasked with keeping quiet one of the standout players from the tournament
‘Unfortunately, it was tough for us after stupidly conceding such an early goal and we had to play into their hands, especially with the pace they have up front. If you are 1-0 up it is easier to play football.’
Amrabat has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool from Fiorentina
Morocco controlled the game despite the result going against them on the night, with 61% of the ball and 575 passes, but the reigning world champions proved a step too far for the Atlas Lions.
A Theo Hernandez goal after five minutes saw Les Bleus play the majority of the game without the need to press forward, and remained resolute in defence throughout.
And with Walid Regragui’s side beginning to look the team more likely to score, Randal Kolo Muani eventually killed off the game in the 79th minute to ensure Les Bleus became the first side since Brazil in 2002 to make successive finals.
But it was the Atlas Lions who will surely be remembered as the story of the tournament unless Lionel Messi lifts the iconic trophy on Sunday, although Amrabat admitted the defeat is still raw for his side.
‘When we look back, I’m sure we will realise that. But now it’s mainly just bitter.
Morocco had largely controlled the game, enjoying 61% of the ball and making 575 passes
‘Will I be able to smile about it later? Maybe not. It’s even more painful when you get so close.
‘But we should be proud that we played against the reigning world champions in the way we did. It’s a really big compliment to all of Morocco. We really gave everything.’
Didier Deschamps’s France will now take on Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina on Sunday in Qatar’s showpiece final, with Morocco facing Croatia in the third-pace play-off on Saturday.
Advertisement