Algeria Football– Two years after the historic epic of the Atlas Lions during the 2022 World Cup, Walid Regragui, the Moroccan coach, lifted the veil on a key moment of this exceptional journey. This is the victory in the round of 16 against Spain (0-0, 3-0 tab), a match which will forever be engraved in the annals of Moroccan football. In an interview given to France FootballRegragui has revealed never-before-seen details of the psychological approach he used to galvanize his players, preparing them to face one of the giants of world football.
December 6, 2022 is a date that still resonates as a resounding achievement. The Atlas Lions, considered outsiders, eliminated Spain, former world champion, in a thrilling encounter, concluded with a perfectly executed penalty shootout. A victory which upset all predictions and which was based on mental preparation finely orchestrated by Regragui.
A rumor transformed into a driving force
To prepare his players for this shock, Regragui was able to take advantage of a rumor circulating behind the scenes of the tournament. According to this rumor, Spain deliberately sought to avoid Brazil by finishing in second place in their group, believing that Morocco would be a more affordable opponent in the round of 16. Regragui, as a strategic man, played on this supposed arrogance of the opponent to arouse the anger and determination of his players: “They took us for charlots,” he said to his team, emphasizing the injustice of the situation.
This feeling of being underestimated galvanized the Atlas Lions, pushing them to play this match with extraordinary rage and determination. Through this emotional manipulation, Regragui was able to transform a simple affront into a real collective engine.
The fight against the “inner Sheitan”
But Regragui didn't just appeal to anger. Before the match, he also introduced a concept that would make an impression: that of the “inner sheitan”, an Arabic term meaning the devil. In his speech, the coach warned his players of the arrival of this little inner voice which arises during moments of fatigue and which pushes them to relax: “I spoke to them about the sheitan, this little inner devil which will arise with the tired and who will tell them: what is the point of going 3 meters to close the space? “, explained Regragui. He encouraged his players to resist that temptation and remember that with every extra effort, they would write their place in history.
This deeply motivating speech had a snowball effect. The Moroccan players found the strength to push their limits, to fight for every ball, and to give body and soul in this decisive meeting. The victory against Spain was therefore not only the result of tactical preparation, but also of extraordinary mental preparation.
A historical epic
This victory against Spain was only the first step in a legendary journey. In the quarter-finals, Morocco created another feat by eliminating Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup. Although the Atlas Lions were eliminated by France, they left the competition with their heads held high, writing their name in world football history.
Walid Regragui and his players not only exceeded expectations, but also redefined the ambitions of African football on the international stage. This epic tale will remain a model of resilience, determination and strategy, proving that football is much more than just a game.
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