"I'm glad I don't have to play against Lamine Yamal"

Switzerland coach Murat Yakin has predicted a 'high intensity' match against Spain at the Geneva stadium on Sunday, with Switzerland not playing defensively despite the absence of key players such as captain Granit Xhaka. "Even if we are not favourites, we will do everything we can to hurt them," said the coach, who said the team, who played an eye-catching and attacking game at the European Championships, 'can't back down'.

"We are playing against the reigning European champions, but in a stadium that will be full of fans supporting us. It's a great challenge," said Yakin. The consequences of Thursday's 2-0 loss to Denmark, with Nico Elvedi and Xhaka both sent off, are still weighing heavily on the Swiss side, who will miss the clash against ‘La Roja’.

"Granit has expressed his willingness to come to Geneva and has apologised in front of the team for his sending off, things that show greatness on his part," said the coach, who was a former Switzerland standout in the 1990s and early 2000s. At the press conference, it was confirmed that Denis Zakaria will replace Xhaka, while Gregory Wuthrich, who made his debut against the Danes, will start at the back in place of Elvedi and the captain's armband, normally held by Xhaka, will be worn by Manuel Akanji.

Speaking about the Spanish national team, Yakin had words of praise for Lamine Yamal. "It's fantastic what he does on the pitch, I'm glad I don't have to be the one to face him," he joked to reporters. "It's unbelievable what he does with the ball. Spain always have great players. We must try to make sure that Lamine Yamal gets few balls and that the Spanish team doesn't have the ball for too long," he added.

 

September 8, 2024