Benchrifa: "You Can't Play Open Football Against Raja in These Circumstances; We Work Day and Night" - Elbotola
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Benchrifa: "You Can't Play Open Football Against Raja in These Circumstances; We Work Day and Night"

Benchrifa: "You Can't Play Open Football Against Raja in These Circumstances; We Work Day and Night"

T.E (Elbotola)
10 May 2026at15:32

Mohamed Bencheikh, coach of Wydad AC, discussed the reason behind his team's defensive strategy against Raja CA (0-1) in matchday 20 of the Professional League.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Bencheikh stated: "'Whoever humbles himself before God, He will raise him; we always keep our heads down and work.' The fans who came to Benjelloun motivated us greatly. It's not easy to play against a stubborn team that dominates possession, and you have to defend fiercely."

He continued: "Thank God, confidence has returned to the players, and I saw how fiercely they defended. Derby matches are decided by small details."

He concluded: "'You can't go out and play open football against Raja in this situation,' and each match has its own approach. 'The situation was difficult, and we work day and night without sleeping due to the circumstances and being mired in problems,' but we have revived the team."

Why did Wydad AC adopt a defensive strategy against Raja CA?

Wydad AC adopted a defensive strategy against Raja CA because coach Mohamed Bencheikh believed playing open football was impossible given the circumstances. He noted Raja's dominance in possession and the need for fierce defense in a difficult derby match.

How has coach Mohamed Bencheikh addressed the team's challenges?

Coach Mohamed Bencheikh has addressed the team's challenges by working tirelessly day and night, despite being mired in problems. He emphasized humility and hard work, stating that confidence has returned to the players, who defended fiercely in the recent derby.

What is Mohamed Bencheikh's philosophy for future matches?

Mohamed Bencheikh's philosophy for future matches is that each game requires its own specific approach. He believes that while the team has been revived, they must continue to work hard and adapt their strategy based on the opponent and prevailing circumstances.
Wydad Casablanca
Raja Club Athletic
The Botola Pro

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