Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi said Tuesday that the Atlas Lions did not alter their tactical approach in the World Cup quarter-final against France, insisting that the team’s game plan remained identical to the one used in previous matches against Brazil and the Netherlands.
Speaking at a press conference following Morocco’s elimination from the tournament, Ouahbi acknowledged that his side failed to impose its identity during the match but rejected suggestions that the coaching staff had adopted a more cautious strategy.
“We changed nothing. Our intentions remained the same,” Ouahbi said.
The Moroccan coach stressed that he never instructs his players to sit back and defend exclusively, arguing instead that the team lacked the personality needed to control key moments of the game.
According to Ouahbi, Morocco struggled to move the ball into the opposition’s half consistently and failed to impose its usual style of play.
“That’s really our only regret,” he said.
Ouahbi also dismissed comparisons between Morocco’s players and their French counterparts, emphasizing the experience and competitive level of Didier Deschamps’ squad.
France’s roster includes players such as Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, who regularly compete in the UEFA Champions League and Europe’s top domestic leagues.
“They are accustomed to that intensity and the pressure that comes with playing every three days,” Ouahbi said, adding that it was natural for differences in experience and rhythm to emerge during the match.
Despite Morocco’s quarter-final exit, Ouahbi expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall World Cup campaign and stressed the importance of drawing lessons from the tournament.
The coach said Morocco must conduct a thorough evaluation of its performances as it begins preparations for future competitions.
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