Morocco coach Walid Regragui admitted some of his players underestimated Bahrain after the Atlas Lions battled to a narrow 1-0 victory in Thursday’s friendly in Rabat.
Regragui said the performance exposed areas that need improvement despite the win. He stressed that the match offered vital lessons for his team as they continue preparations for upcoming challenges.
“I feel happy to have played this kind of match,” Regragui said in his post-match press conference. “It helped us identify our weaknesses. We must keep working to improve every detail.”
The Moroccan coach praised Bahrain’s performance, saying the visitors pushed his side harder than expected. “Bahrain played a very good match,” he said. “Some of our players thought the game would be easy, but it turned out difficult and hard-fought, exactly as I expected.”
Regragui explained that several key players missed the game due to injuries, which affected the team’s rhythm. “We didn’t play at full strength,” he said. “But we have a challenge ahead against Congo on Tuesday, where we want to break the world record for consecutive victories.”
He also underlined the importance of the squad’s depth, noting that the substitutes played a crucial role in changing the flow of the game. “Our bench gives us options to shift the match’s direction,” Regragui said. “We faced problems with rhythm and movement in the penalty area, and we need to fix that.”
Meanwhile, Bahrain coach Dragan Talajic praised Morocco’s quality and intensity. “Morocco has a very strong team with top-quality players,” Talajic said. “They played an excellent match and created many problems for us.”
Talajic described the encounter as a valuable learning experience for his side. “Playing against Morocco gave my players an important lesson,” he added. “They faced one of the best teams in world football, and it will help them grow.”
The match’s only goal came deep into stoppage time when defender Jawad El Yamiq struck in the 94th minute, sealing Morocco’s win in dramatic fashion.
Morocco will now shift focus to their final World Cup qualifier against Congo on October 14 at the same venue. The Atlas Lions already booked their spot at the 2026 World Cup after crushing Niger 5-0 in Rabat on September 5.
Regragui insisted the team remains focused despite securing qualification early. “We must keep our winning mentality,” he said. “Every match matters, and we always play to improve.”
The Moroccan coach reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining high standards ahead of next year’s tournament. “We can’t relax,” he warned. “Each game helps us get closer to the level we want before the World Cup.”
Morocco’s latest win extends their impressive unbeaten streak and highlights their growing confidence under Regragui. However, the coach’s comments suggest he expects more discipline and sharper execution when they face Congo next week.
