Mohamed Ouahbi pleased with Morocco response after Paraguay victory

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance after a 2-1 victory over Paraguay on Tuesday evening in Lens, pointing to key adjustments made during the match.

The win marked a positive response from the national side, with Ouahbi highlighting the need for adaptability following a different test compared to their previous outing against Ecuador in Madrid.

“It was a different match from the one against Ecuador, played on Friday in Madrid. We had to find natural connections and adapt to the opponent,” he explained in the post-match press conference.

Morocco were required to adjust their approach throughout the game, and the coach indicated that building cohesion within the squad remains an ongoing process.

Despite the result, Ouahbi made clear that his evaluation would go beyond the scoreline.

“I’m not going to draw all the conclusions. I’m going to focus mainly on our level of play, but also on that of the opponents we will have during the World Cup.”

The coach also underlined the importance of managing his squad carefully, revealing that he had deliberately selected a larger group of players for the international window.

This, he said, allowed him to assess options while maintaining competition within the team.

“I took an expanded squad. I knew some players wouldn’t play, but I’m very happy with the group.

The best and most effective players will be selected to take part in the World Cup.”

Ouahbi emphasised continuity as a key principle in his approach, suggesting that stability would be crucial as preparations continue.

“We must not change everything at once in order to maintain a certain consistency,” he insisted again.

While acknowledging growing expectations following recent performances, the coach called for a balanced mindset within the team, combining ambition with humility.

“We want to have a lot of ambition, but also a lot of humility. We are expected to deliver after our recent performances,” he said.

Reflecting on the wider international break, Ouahbi also expressed satisfaction with how the training camp unfolded, describing it as a productive period for the squad.

“This first gathering went very smoothly. I am very satisfied,” Ouahbi concluded.