Manuel Akanji listens attentively to Murat Yakin during Switzerland’s final training session on Tuesday. The coach wants his defense boss to take more responsibility to launch the Swiss impulses this Wednesday evening against Scotland.
Fabrice COFFRINI/AFP
“Junior, I was average. I was playing for fun and I had no plan. Then, at 17, I had a growth spurt that boosted my performance. That’s when I realized my potential.”
What Manuel Akanji said a few years ago, to put his career into words, says everything about him. From this junior who played for pleasure, there remains a part of carelessness, even nonchalance sometimes. With the awareness of extraordinary abilities. Young Akanji from Winterthur no longer exists. Instead a monster is born: he is essential to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. It is therefore also, logically, for the Swiss team.
His relationship with Xhaka
Akanji is the other boss of the Swiss team. Behind Granit Xhaka, of course, the indisputable captain, the leader on and off the field. Their relationship is evident, on and off the field too. She is the delight of the selection.
You have to measure luck: there is one of the best No 6 in the world and one of the best central defenders on the planet too. Both play for Switzerland. We know Xhaka’s role as conductor and his influence on the team’s play. Even in the choice of the playing system. If Switzerland switched this year to a 3-4-3 that Yakin was reluctant to put in place for no reason, it was under the leadership of Xhaka. But not just him.
Manuel Akanji and Granit Xhaka have a close connection.
AFP
In the relationship between team executives, the close connection between the captain and his central defender is decisive. For these choices too.
Akanji, more discreet than Xhaka, is no less a potential boss. He is 28 years old, Xhaka is 31. They have enough to make Switzerland happy for a few more years together. But when the man who is undoubtedly the best player in Swiss history, the most impactful for the selection in any case, hangs up his boots, Akanji will fully be the boss.
Yakin’s wish
This is also a path that Murat Yakin is already asking him to take. “Yes, ideally, Manu should take even more responsibilities,” explains the coach. In line, bringing more. It’s not just Granit who needs to be involved in the middle, Manu can do it too, to run things. And he has already made great progress in this direction.”
That’s right: Akanji is capable of donning multiple costumes with City. Higher up in the field, on one side. But Switzerland is not City. We saw it when Yakin insisted on placing Xhaka in left No. 8, under the pretext that he was then aligned like this at Arsenal. Bad calculation: by shifting from the heart of the game the one who is essential for Switzerland in No. 6, because there is no one in the selection to replace him in this position, Yakin lost much more than he gained. .
Pep Guardiola uses Manuel Akanji in every way at Manchester City.
IMAGO/Shutterstock
This probably goes for Akanji too. What he does at Manchester City is part of an above-ground contingent, thought out and balanced by Pep Guardiola. Switzerland does not have this luxury: Akanji can provide more impetus, broaden his field of influence, but without weakening the defense where he remains essential. Or else, we are in a new dangerous bet.
Ready for Scotland
Manuel Akanji, the other boss of Switzerland, is this impressive defender in all areas: calm, serious, physical presence, technique. He is ready for this match against Scotland.
With a smile, he mentions it: “We want the three points,” he says. I know several Scots to play against them during the season. There are quality elements. We will have to be ready from the start of the match, because after the 5-1 conceded in the opening against Germany, they will want to show something else.
He said all this as calmly as possible. He reserves the intensity of his involvement for the duels against the Scots.
