As Wydad Athletic Club prepare to take on fellow African giants Simba in the CAF Champions League, players of the Moroccan side are reportedly wary of their new coach's tactics ahead of the continental clash.
Check Out: Pyramids Boss Outlines Intentions Ahead Of Crunch CAFCL Clash Vs Downs
The record Moroccan champions will be under new leadership when they take to the pitch in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday afternoon.
Tunisian tactician Faouzi Benzarti has taken charge of the side in Casablanca for the fourth time, with his appointment being confirmed over the weekend, and his first test as Wydad manager will be to take on the east African giants at Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.
The three-time Champions League winners have not won in the Tanzanian capital against the Reds of Msimbazi since 2011, and according to Le Site Info Sport, the players will not have been given much confidence they can remedy that record after their initial training sessions with the veteran tactician.
The Moroccan publication claims that the 73-year-old is insisting that the team plays more direct football as opposed to playing through the lines like their former manager Adil Ramzi wanted to play.
It is believed many of Wydad's players and coaches have been stressed by this as it is in stark contrast to what their previous manager did.
The same report suggests that while, tactically, Morocco's most successful side ever would be playing a completely different style of football, there would not be many changes to their strongest starting XI, with the reintegration of Zouhair El Moutaraji as a regular starter being the only expected change to the team in the long term.
Benzarti will feel justified in implementing his tactics, with the Monastir native having alluded to his familiarity with the squad ahead of the tie.
Check Out: 13 Years, 0 Matches: The Footballer Who Faked His Entire Career
"Two years ago, I was coach of Wydad, and therefore I know the entire group, except for some elements, of course," he told members of media in a pre-match press conference.
"We will try to give our best, and there is no reason why we cannot achieve something good."
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH VIDEO:
