In the head of Walid Regragui

Walid Regragui has finally turned the page on the 2022 World Cup. His speech and his method have gradually erased the notions of comfort zone, fixed status, and excessive respect for executives. The management of the Ziyech case is an illustration of this. Discarded in his club, lacking playing time and sensations, he is not part of the group. Asked this Tuesday in Maâmora about his absence, the coach of the national eleven drew a line of conduct which has the merit of being clear. If Ziyech does not find significant playing time at Galatasaray or elsewhere, the doors of “Club Maroc” will be closed to him, because the competition stands out for his position.

In the past, Ziyech would have been summoned to Maâmora, if only to comfort him, offer him a family atmosphere and reenergize him. Earlier in the year, Ounahi, Amrabat and En-Nesyri had benefited from this “therapy”.

The notion of competition and the criterion of playing time will establish other conditions and other values, particularly in the area of ​​defense. It is today the most urgent project, even the most worrying. At this stage of the season, the returning Masina could provide some services. It remains to be seen if he complements Aguerd and if he is only useful in a three-way defense.

Furthermore, the debate around the versatile Mazraoui has been settled: he will play on the left of the defense, where he performs at Man U. There is no question of moving him towards the axis, at least not in the run-up to the CAN. Moreover, the hierarchy is clear and clear: Hakimi and Mazraoui are far ahead of their competitors.

Finally, in terms of choices, it is clear that, little by little, Regragui is freeing himself from the old guard. Ultimately, the group will correspond to the new game project outlined since last June. Walid has now agreed to take risks to better unbalance the opponents’ low blocks. In this positional football, you need movement with and without the ball, verticality and percussion. With this philosophy, players who lack mobility have no place.

Last but not least, a few months ago, the coach’s speech seemed frozen, based on affect for his players and a touch of provocation towards the media. Here again, the change is clear. Walid now talks about tactics, game plans, and supports his words with statistics. The tone is set, and his desire to explain his ideas is clear. These are all positive points before approaching the “money time” of the World Cup qualifiers. However, he must know that the slightest misstep against Gabon or Lesotho could change the mind of a naturally fickle public and media, as well as social networks, more inclined to burn today what they loved yesterday with a three-step logic: “lick, drop, lynch”.