Morocco Coach Regragui Defends Tactics Amid CAN Elimination Criticism

"I accept criticism, as long as it’s coherent, because it’s part of the job," Walid Regragui told the French sports newspaper L’Équipe. According to his explanations, he preferred to be judged at each training camp, rather than having supporters quibble over details about stylistic choices. "What bothers me the most is the search for details, like the playing style," he added, confiding that after the early elimination from the CAN Ivory Coast, he worked on a new dynamic to reorganize the Atlas Lions’ squad by relying on new players in new offensive positions.

The Moroccan national team coach assures that his strategy is working. "Our offensive statistics speak for themselves, and it’s regrettable that we are perceived the same way as during the World Cup, when it’s clear that there’s a difference between the national team before and after the World Cup. We are now an offensive team that focuses on ball possession," he explained. He points out that there is a clear evolution in the Moroccan playing style.

Since becoming Morocco’s coach, the Atlas Lions have scored 71 goals in 35 matches, more than two per match on average, while conceding only 17. Moreover, since the end of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, during which they reached the semi-finals for the first time in their history, Morocco’s average ball possession rate has increased from 45.5% to 61%. The team also boasts a 68% win rate, the highest in the national team’s history.

Challenges await the Moroccan team. They must fight to win the next Africa Cup of Nations (CAN MOROCCO 2024) after their first trophy in 1976. They already measure the importance of the challenge ahead. Regragui will hold a press conference on Tuesday, May 27 at the Mohammed VI Complex in Maâmora, during which he will unveil the list of Atlas Lions called up for the next two friendly matches against Tunisia and Benin, scheduled for June 6 and June 9 respectively at the Fez stadium.