As the Football Club World Cup concludes with the Raja-Bayern Munich final, Raja Casablanca has already achieved a remarkable feat by defeating Atlético Mineiro in the semi-final. Facing the formidable Bayern Munich, Raja’s chances may seem slim, but coach Faouzi Benzarti remains optimistic, emphasizing the intention to exploit any weaknesses in the opponent’s game plan.
Benzarti acknowledges Bayern as one of the biggest clubs globally but believes every strategy has flaws, and Raja aims to capitalize on those vulnerabilities. He outlines the approach, stating, “They will surely take possession of the ball, but we will try to densify our lines. We will have to form a block, and the midfielders will have a vital role in defense. We will also have to be efficient on the counter-attack and create numerical advantages in the opposing field.”
Despite the numerous matches leading up to the final, Benzarti, a Tunisian technician, is confident and believes the difference will be on the mental level. He has prepared his team psychologically, emphasizing the importance of mental strength in such high-stakes situations. “Raja is strong at this level. Players must have confidence in themselves and play with spontaneity. They are able to cope with opposing pressure. I know that the match will be extremely difficult, but the Raja players can create a surprise,” states Benzarti.
While acknowledging the quality of Bayern players, especially Franck Ribery, who is in contention for the Ballon d’Or, Benzarti reveals a stratagem to contain the French striker. “Ribéry is a brilliant player, but we will make sure to put pressure on him as soon as he has the ball. Once he starts to overflow, it can be very dangerous!”
Benzarti’s confidence and strategic approach reflect Raja Casablanca’s determined mindset as they gear up for the challenging final against Bayern Munich.
