Adel Taarabt slams Walid Regragui’s tactics, calls for more aggressive play

Moroccan football star Adel Taarabt ruffled feathers this week with his outspoken criticism of national team coach Walid Regragui’s tactics. 

In an interview with Hespress, Taarabt called for a more aggressive approach, accusing Regragui of being too passive on the pitch. 

Taarabt said that Regragui’s tactics are not suitable for the Moroccan team and that they should be playing a more attacking style of football.

“We need to be the ones dictating the game, not sitting back and waiting for our opponents to make the first move,” Taarabt said. 

He further added that Regragui’s conservative tactics were particularly unsuited for weaker African teams, whom Morocco should be dominating, not playing cautiously against. 

“We should play a direct and attacking style, especially against weaker African teams, we cannot let weaker teams dictate the pace of the game,” taarabt said. 

Taarabt, however, acknowledged that it is acceptable to use a more defensive approach against stronger teams.

Despite his criticism of the coach, Taarabt showered praise on some of his teammates. He praised the performance of some of the current Moroccan national team players, including Ibrahim Diaz, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, and Nayef Aguerdl. He also expressed his admiration for the young player Ilyas Ben Seghir.

“Rahimii is also a great player. I’m not saying this because he’s my friend, but because he deserves to be given the respect he deserves. I can’t hide my admiration for the level of Ilyas Ben Seghir, who has great potential. As for Ayoub El Kaabi, he deserves more playing time and better opportunities than he is given in the national team,” Taarabt added. 

The interview also shed light on Taarabt’s own international career. The football player revealed his past refusal to play under former coach Badou Zaki, citing a lack of personal rapport. 

With his playing days nearing an end, Taarabt spoke about his future plans. While unsure of his next move, he hinted at an interest in coaching while acknowledging the importance of spending time with his family.