Morocco Coach Regragui Focuses on CAN 2025 Prep, Emphasizes Attacking Play

"The idea is to give playing time to everyone in order to be able to take stock after this September window. The objective is to focus on the reality of the Africa Cup of Nations until next March and that leaves us little time. We hope to maintain the pace in attack and score as much. Not conceding is not really very important, because we always have time to take risks on this aspect by then the CAN," said Walid Regragui during a press conference held on Sunday at the conference room of the large stadium in Agadir.

The technician is working to find a good balance between offensive efficiency and defensive solidity before the return of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. "Our goal is to try several formulas in midfield and attack. The priority for the moment is not to sacrifice an offensive talent for more defensive security. The solution could be to integrate a less offensive-minded midfielder, but in the future, not now... We can always make mistakes before the 2025 CAN, take risks, especially offensively, because they allow us to discover ourselves," he explained.

Responding to the many criticisms about changes in the starting lineup, Regragui was keen to recall that the team was still in the construction phase and that it was necessary to test before having convictions: "We want to see a fixed and stable starting team. I have a bit of humility, we said I was always keeping the same figures (Amrabat, Ounahi, Ziyech...). I was criticized for that, but to inject new blood, we have to test new players... To reassure you, the team is doing well, the team is behaving well now, we will be better at the CAN" He will add: "The idea and the goal is to be ready with the kick-off of the CAN. Meanwhile, we still have the right to make mistakes and we will certainly make some... We can also lose matches, official or friendly, but we are confident. I am confident, maybe a little too much, but I have my reasons. We have a federation that supports us, a serious staff, excellent players... So I remain very confident".

After their last two matches, the Atlas Lions will face the Central African Republic in Oujda next October, before meeting Gabon and Lesotho again in November.