Tite explains why Morocco’s Hakim Ziyech played 45 minutes on Botafogo debut

Ziyech played the entire second half as Botafogo suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Mirassol in the Brazilian league on Saturday.

The 33-year-old had initially been expected to make only a brief appearance as he continues to rebuild his fitness following a period without competitive football.

However, Tite changed those plans at half-time and introduced the Moroccan for the opening 45 minutes of the second half.

Tite impressed by Ziyech’s quality

The Botafogo coach said Ziyech’s technical ability and the team’s needs convinced him to accelerate the Moroccan’s introduction.

“Ziyech provides individual technical quality. In fact, I brought forward his debut,” Tite said during his post-match press conference.

Tite explained that the original plan was to gradually introduce Ziyech, with the winger expected to play between 15 and 30 minutes.

But what the former Morocco international showed in training, combined with Botafogo’s needs during the match, led to a change in approach.

“Given his quality and the team’s need, I decided at halftime to put him on the field, considering the quality the player had demonstrated,” he added.

Morocco star offered attacking freedom

Tite also revealed that Ziyech could be used in several attacking positions as he becomes more established at the Brazilian club.

The coach does not intend to restrict the Moroccan to a wide role, instead giving him the freedom to influence games from different areas of the pitch.

“Ziyech can play as a winger, a midfielder, or in the number 10 role, with creative freedom,” Tite said.

Ziyech was unable to prevent Botafogo from losing to Mirassol, but his introduction provided the Brazilian side with an additional creative option during the second half.

The Moroccan has acknowledged that he still needs time to regain his best physical condition after his extended absence from regular competitive football.

He is nevertheless determined to contribute goals and assists as he settles into life at Botafogo, with his debut providing an early indication of the attacking role Tite could have in mind for him.