Olympic Finals Preview
Broken corner flags and broken dreams. Two European comebacks set the stage for an epic final.
Dan Miller: On Monday, we saw two highly entertaining matches in the semifinals. Let’s start with Spain and Morocco. We saw pigeons, a broken corner flag, and a referee substitution. The Spanish team as a whole looks fine, but Fermin has been every bit the star he was expected to be putting the team on his back with a goal and an assist to push them past Morocco. What were your thoughts on this match, to me Morocco looked like the better team.
Mauricio Salazar-Lozada:I think the match was a bit even with both teams having chances on both sides of the pitch. I do agree that for the greater part of the match - or at least for the part where they were leading - Morocco looked to be in control. The two teams played at Morocco’s tempo and after the penalty it just looked like a case of controlling the game defensively and surprising on the counter. This worked until the first relapse in the back around the 66th minute where the ball sort of bobbles in the box with a Moroccan player trying to control it and ultimately ending up in the boots of Fermin Lopez who doesn’t forgive such a mistake. Yet, even after the equalizer Morocco still showed great intent of wanting to win with shots from Ben Seghir and Amir Richardson that went just wide. Ultimately, it was another moment of lack of concentration that cost them the game and a spot in the final.
Dan: France scored in the 80th minute to force Egypt into extra time before eventually pulling away and winning 3-1. France had the lionshare of the chances, and it seemed at times during the match that they couldn’t buy a goal. Olise was really impressive throughout the game and essentially handed the tying goal to Mateta on a platter with a beautiful run and pass up the middle. How do you think the French team played? Did Egypt overachieve these olympics?
Mauricio: The French team in many ways reminds me of the Spanish team, often relying on one player - in this case Olise - to solve their problems. Like Spain, I think that France lacks in their ability to link by playing one or two touches that might split enemy lines. Like you said the equalizing goal could be attributed almost entirely to Olise who with his trickery and quickness was able to carry the ball from close to his own half and set up Jean-Philippe Mateta for the 1-1. I don’t think the French team played badly, but I also think they should be winning games, like the one against Egypt, more comfortably. I don’t think Egypt overachieved even though there are some teams who, in terms of footballing level, maybe deserved to be in the semifinal more like Japan or Argentina. It’s just a product of the rules that come with the Olympic tournament where teams that are not often at the top of the FIFA ranking list make it far in this tournament or even go on to win it.
Dan: Bronze medal match takes place on Thursday between Egypt and Morocco. Both teams have performed well this tournament, and I think it’s been great to see the level of support that Morocco has gotten from the crowd when they’ve played. In my opinion, Morocco outplayed Spain for much of the semifinal, whereas Egypt did not outplay France despite their early lead. I think Morocco goes home with the bronze.
The final is set - two European powerhouses meet on Friday to play for a gold medal. What do you think of the matchup and who ends up with the gold?
Kwesi Aaron: The Gold Medal Match may be the most tactical we’ll have seen in these games. Both teams have the quality to compete for possession in the midfield. I suspect few chances given the consistency of each back line. Ultimately, I predict one decisive moment that keeps the gold medal at home for France, with the crowd backing them heavily the entire way. Late in the semifinal they showed an important marker of tournament success beyond mere individual or collective quality: fierce hunger right to the very end.
Mauricio: It’s tough to predict who will come out on top especially since it’s a final and both teams will play a bit reserved. I think it’ll be a well disputed match with both Fermin Lopez and Michael Olise being heavily marked. Therefore, this game may come down to those second or third players that are able to make something happen and in this case I think Spain has the upper hand. Players like Alex Baena and Segio Gomez can in a moment's time change the trajectory of a match by getting around a player or by playing a pass into space for a teammate to run onto. This is something that isn’t part of Mateta or Lacazette game, they’re both strikers who usually finish plays but don’t necessarily initiate them. Another thing that we have to consider is the advantage of playing at home for France. They will feel the support from their fans which can play a pivotal part in whether this team wins or loses. Although it’s close I’ll have to go with France.