Murat Yakin does not plan any special discussions with Granit Xhaka before the match against Serbia. Image: KEYSTONE
The Nati travels to Serbia next Saturday, in a tense extra-sporting context linked to the Kosovar origins of Granit Xhaka. However, the coach does not plan any awareness with his captain.
Stefan Wyss / ch media
When Switzerland play Serbia next Saturday, Granit Xhaka will be in the spotlight. Already because the captain will make his return from suspension, he who missed a lot during the previous match against Spain (heavy 4-1 defeat in Geneva).
But above all because of the geopolitical context. Every time Switzerland and Serbia clash, Xhaka – originally from Kosovo – is the center of attention. This was the case at the 2018 World Cup and then that of 2022, two meetings punctuated by controversies in which the Leverkusen midfielder was involved each time.
It’s simple: Xhaka is always the great subject of concern of the Serbian people when their selection faces the Nati.
Granit Xhaka and the controversial “Jashari” flocked jersey, after the victory against the Serbs at the 2022 World Cup.Image: KEYSTONE
And this time, new, the Swiss captain and his compatriots face Serbia in Serbia. Not in Russia or Qatar. Hence the question asked to the coach, Murat Yakin, to know if he had discussed this situation with Granit Xhaka and if he had possibly had the idea of not taking his player. Yakin’s response?
“No, this reflection does not exist and did not exist. This subject has not been discussed, these are old stories. We do not want to reopen the case.”
The fact that the match does not take place in Belgrade but in Leskovac, a small town located 275 km from the capital, but only 60 km from the border with Kosovo, apparently has no political or security reason.
The Serbian federation instead hopes to fill this small provincial stadium, which has only 8,000 seats, more easily than the large Marakana in Belgrade. Especially since the Serbian selection is not very popular in its country currently, after its inglorious elimination (no victory) in the group stage at the Euro this summer.
The small (but modern) Leskovac stadium, scene of the Serbia-Switzerland match. image: wikipedia
Okafor cast aside and a neophyte
Concerning the Swiss contingent, Xhaka is therefore back from suspension. Just like Nico Elvedi, who served his red card against Denmark against Spain. And Murat Yakin recalled goalkeeper Philipp Köhn, Ulisses Garcia, Cédric Zesiger, Edimilson Fernandes, Dan Ndoye and Andi Zeqiri (who also has Kosovar origins).
On the other hand, in addition to the injured Jonas Omlin and Ruben Vargas, Renato Steffen is also absent. Murat Yakin justifies his decision by the fact that the Luganais is returning from injury and has only made brief appearances.
Despite the absence of Vargas and Steffen, two offensive elements, striker Noah Okafor was once again not taken into account.
Noah Okafor does not enter into Murat Yakin’s plans.Image: KEYSTONE
The coach assures that he once again had a good discussion with the AC Milan player. “The door is not closed for him.” The proof: Yakin still placed him on the picket list.
Christian Witzig (23 years old) is celebrating his first arrival at the Nati. This is not surprising, because the FC Saint-Gall midfielder has been a sure bet in the Super League for several months. After a fantastic end to the season this spring, the Thurgau native has had an impressive start to the year. In nine matches, championship and cup combined, he scored three goals and provided four assists.
Christian Witzig is in great form these days. Image: KEYSTONE
No defense four
Three days after the match in Serbia, Switzerland faces Denmark on Tuesday October 15 in St. Gallen. After a bad start with two defeats in September, the Nati is already up against the wall in the League of Nations. Murat Yakin set himself a priority goal:
“A lot of things went against us. But we must also be self-critical. We lost our organization. “That’s why I’m going to focus on getting defensive stability back.”
To achieve this, and because Fabian Schär (who announced his international retirement this summer) has not yet been properly replaced, should we return to a four-man defense? The coach responds in the negative: “Our system is well established. With Manu (Akanji), Remo (Freuler) and Granit (Xhaka), our defensive axis works very well. A change now would not make sense.
Translation and adaptation into French: Yoann Graber
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