Good news has arrived for Wydad Casablanca and their newly appointed coach, Juan Carlos Garrido, as several key players have returned from injury ahead of the first leg of their CAF Champions League quarter-final against Étoile Sportive du Sahel. The match is scheduled for Saturday, February 29, 2020, at the Stade Mohamed V.
Four important members of the Red Devils squad, recently sidelined, have resumed training and are expected to be available for selection. Defensive midfielder Yahya Jabrane has recovered from an injury sustained against Youssoufia Berrechid, while Ismail El Haddad is also fit to play. Salaheddine Saidi and Abdellatif Noussir have returned to training, although their full readiness for the match remains to be confirmed.
Garrido led his first training session with Wydad yesterday, giving him only four days to prepare the team for the first leg. However, his prior experience in Moroccan football gives him a clear advantage. Having spent two seasons with rivals Raja Casablanca, Garrido won both the CAF Confederation Cup and the CAF Throne Cup and is intimately familiar with the squad dynamics and player capabilities.
Additionally, Garrido has a personal motive: he was sacked by Étoile Sportive du Sahel on February 9, just four months into his tenure. This experience may provide valuable insight for Wydad, as he is likely to share tactical knowledge and inside information about their upcoming opponents with his players.
With key players returning and a coach motivated by both familiarity and revenge, Wydad Casablanca enters the quarter-final clash well-prepared. The first leg against Étoile du Sahel promises to be a decisive encounter as the Red and Whites aim to capitalize on their advantages and advance in the Champions League.
