Mohammed Ouahbi: “We’ll Face France by Relying on Our Strengths and Playing Our Usual Game”

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday following the team’s final training session at the Estadio Marítimo in Viña del Mar, Chile, Ouahbi expressed confidence in his players’ ability to rise to the occasion. “We’ll approach this match by relying on our assets and sticking to our usual style. The team is determined to deliver a strong performance and beat France to reach the final,” he said.

The coach added that the technical staff would focus on analyzing France’s play and refining the tactical approach while maintaining the team’s core identity. “We’re not planning any fundamental changes,” he noted.

Interestingly, Ouahbi observed a calm, focused mood among his players after their quarter-final win. “They weren’t overly joyful or excited, but rather composed and balanced. That’s a good sign — it means they don’t want to stop here, even though what they’ve achieved so far is remarkable,” he explained.

Ouahbi emphasized the importance of providing the players with an environment that allows them to express themselves freely on the pitch. “We want them to feel comfortable so they can perform at their best. At the end of the day, it’s a football match — and they just need to do what they do best.”

As for the squad, Ouahbi confirmed that everyone is available except for Ali Maamar, who is suspended due to yellow card accumulation. “We have a well-balanced group capable of handling every stage of this competition,” he said.

Commenting on France, the Moroccan coach acknowledged their quality and cohesion. “They have talented players, and their results show the strength that comes from playing together for a long time. Their teamwork and harmony were especially evident in their round-of-16 win over Japan (1-0),” he added.

Goalkeeper Yanis Benchaouch stressed the importance of the semi-final, saying that the team is well-prepared for the challenge. “We’ll approach this match just like we did against Spain, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, and the United States. Our main goal is clear: reaching the final,” he stated.

Midfielder Naïm Bayar echoed that determination, noting that all teams in the semi-finals are of high quality. “We’ll give everything we have to reach the final and win the title. We know what awaits us against France, and we’re ready to write another glorious chapter in Moroccan football history,” he said.

The semi-final match between Morocco and France will take place this Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. (Moroccan time) at the Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander in Valparaíso.

Editorial team/le7tv