Will Denis Zakaria play in defense on Thursday against Denmark?
Photo: KEYSTONE/PETER KLAUNZER
He has already decided but he has not given up! Murat Yakin has chosen his third man in central defence to face Denmark on Thursday alongside Akanji and Rodriguez, but he has not said anything.
Everything indicates that Denis Zakaria is in the lead. ‘I can very well imagine Denis lining up in a three-man defence,’ underlines the coach, who has specified that he will line up his best eleven to open this new campaign. The demand for results is there.
The now ‘cursed’ subject of penalties has returned to the table. With the retirement of Xherdan Shaqiri, Switzerland has lost its number 1 striker. ‘It will be up to the captain to decide who will take a penalty if we have one in our favour,’ says Murat Yakin. Granit Xhaka will therefore have to make a choice that will not be easy. However, he has the shoulders to assume this responsibility himself even if he never takes penalties at club level.
Kobel and Sommer in the running for the Yashine Trophy
As we know, this match will mark Gregor Kobel’s debut as No. 1. Yann Sommer’s successor will begin his ‘reign’ the day after his nomination for the Yashine Trophy, which will crown the best goalkeeper on the planet next month. The Zurich native is one of ten nominees along with… Yann Sommer. ‘I try to give my best every day. Such recognition is a great reward,’ explains Gregor Kobel.
The Borussia Dortmund player, who confirmed that he had no contact with his predecessor, recalled that playing in the national team was ‘an honour’. ‘Even if I have some experience, I will discover something new for me tomorrow,’ he said. ‘The nerves will be there. You can’t compare club football with national team football.’ We were able to fully measure this this summer at the Euro.
/ATS