Analysing the similarities between Pedros and Renard

In many ways, Morocco and coach Reynald Pedros have overachieved at their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup™, finishing second in Group H to book a spot in the knockout-phase while knocking Germany out.

They will take on the might of France in the last 16, who are coached by fellow Frenchman Herve Renard. The connections don't enough there, though, as Renard took charge of Morocco during the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ where his side earned the nation's first World Cup point of the 21st century.

We take a look at three key traits that Pedros and Renard share, as the two Frenchmen prepare to come head-to-head on Tuesday.

Having revived their tournament after a 6-0 opening-day defeat to Germany, Pedros’ work as a top operator at this level has shone through, as his side recovered their Group H campaign. These skills were especially clear in his team’s performances against Korea Republic and Colombia, where Ghizlane Chebbak and co fought hard for every ball and kept the faith, no matter how unlikely success might have seemed following the Germany humbling.

As for Renard, he is second to none when it comes to motivating his team, with a long list of victories over highly-favoured opponents. Perhaps the most famous of these instances came when his Saudi Arabia side triumphed over Argentina at Qatar 2022 in Lusail Stadium – the only match the eventual champions lost at the tournament.

Both coaches are renowned for their motivational dressing room speeches, with Renard's rousing half-time team-talk from that Argentina clash going viral following Saudi Arabia's victory over La Albiceleste.

No coach can be successful without imposing their own style on their team. Both Renard and Pedros instil a culture that ensures they all give 100 per cent for the cause.

The clearest evidence of Morocco’s tactical commitment comes from their two clean sheets in their final group-stage matches, winning each of them by a one-goal margin. One mistake could have made the difference between qualifying for the Round of 16 or being eliminated, but the Moroccans were switched on and tactically aware, as the meticulous detail Pedros plays to the fine margins paid off.

Renard takes a similar approach and is well-known for ensuring his players follow a strict tactical game plan. When the two sides meet in the Round of 16, neither will find it easy to break down the opposition defence. Morocco have already held two opponents scoreless, while France kept a clean sheet against Jamaica, opened the scoring against Brazil and came from behind against Panama to net six times.

Another key aspect of both coaches’ managerial style is their ability to continuously lift player's spirits throughout a tournament. Renard has proved his credentials on numerous occasions, including CAF Africa Cup of Nations wins with Zambia in 2012 and Côte d'Ivoire in 2015, where he kept players motivated and made mid-tournament tactical adjustments.

Pedros has earned himself a very similar reputation, in no small part thanks to his work as manager of Olympique Lyonnais Feminin, where he won the UEFA Women’s Champions League in both 2019 and 2020. He will be well aware of what it will take to keep the Atlas Lionesses motivated after such a historic achievement.

Credit: FIFA