Morocco’s Atlas Lions: Inside the World Cup Semi-Finalists’ New Era

The Téléfoot cameras followed the Moroccan national team during the friendly match against Brazil (2-1), their first match after the World Cup in Qatar where they finished semi-finalists. These images were used to produce the "Renaissance" report, with exclusive interviews with Walid Regragui and captain Romain Saiss on the new era initiated by the Atlas Lions after their performance at the World Cup.

"The most important thing in football and in national teams is for the people to identify with it. Even if we don’t win a trophy, as long as the supporters identify with the players, it’s already a victory. And I think that’s what we did," said Walid Regragui, the Moroccan coach who took over the team three months before the World Cup, after the departure of Vahid Halilhodzic.

A difficult mission, but brilliantly accomplished, testifies captain Romain Saiss. "It wasn’t easy for him (Walid Regragui) to arrive three months before a big competition. For us too, since we had to adapt quickly. And I think what made the difference was the state of mind of each one, everyone became aware of the importance of the upcoming deadline," he confided.

For coach Walid and captain Saiss, "Morocco is a football people. The most important thing for us was to make our people proud." And the coach adds that Morocco’s victory over Brazil (2-1) "confirms our World Cup, as if it were not a coincidence. We have a beautiful team, but there is still work to be done. And we will continue on our way." Téléfoot is broadcast on TF1 every Sunday morning at 11 a.m.