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KANSAS CITY, MO — Argentina bounced Switzerland 1-0 in the 2014 World Cup round of 16. Granit Xhaka played 66 minutes of the match before being substituted.
Switzerland will take on Argentina once again on Saturday, July 11. Xhaka made it clear that the upcoming game is not affected by the match from 12 years ago.
“It was not the most pleasant moment and we conceded a goal in the 118th minute,” Xhaka said. “Twelve years later, we are back and we will try to win against Argentina. We have a new mentality and football in Switzerland has improved a lot. We have become stronger not just in this tournament, but in the last few years.”
Switzerland is the obvious underdog against the defending champions. A major blow to the team’s chances will be the absence of midfielder Johan Manzambi. Swiss head coach Murat Yakin confirmed that Manzambi will miss the match against Argentina
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Manzambi suffered a knee injury during training last week. He also missed the round of 16 match against Colombia. He scored three goals and two assists in four World Cup matches. He's the only player on the roster to register three goals or more in the tournament.
“Unfortunately, Johan is in a lot of pain,” Yakin said. “This was shock to all of us. Momentum was not on his side. He has his teammates by his side. We will try to do our best as a team.”
This is Switzerland’s best performance since reaching the quarterfinals in 1954. To make even more history, Switzerland will need to put in a top performance. Shutting down the best player in the world, Lionel Messi, is objective number one, but the rest of the team will prove to be a tough challenge.
“It’s a difficult game for us,” right back Denis Zakaria said. “It’s not easy to play against the best team in the world. We have to have the perfect game and have to prepare as much as possible to be ready for tomorrow.”
Switzerland has not allowed a goal in 224 minutes dating back to the team's 2-1 win over Canada. The Swiss kept a 2-0 clean sheet over Algeria in the round of 32 before defeating Colombia in penalty kicks after the match finished 0-0.
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It’s not like Argentina has breezed its way to this point, either. Switzerland can take solace in knowing that opposing teams have taken it to Argentina at many points of the tournament.
Cape Verde pushed Argentina into extra time, while Egypt went ahead 2-0 before crumbling down the stretch.
“I know my team and they like to run a lot, they do a lot for the unit of the team and defend really well,” Yakin said. “We will try to get away from the pressing of the Argentina team and seize the moments. We are going to be efficient. We also saw Cape Verde and Egypt had good moments when they played Argentina."
The World Cup belongs to the players and fans that dream. If Switzerland want a chance at even more history, the team must believe in itself. With a win, it would be Switzerland’s first-ever appearance in the semifinals.
With two big knockout performances, Switzerland is not short of confidence or belief.
“I am a person that is always dreaming and dreams can come true,” Xhaka said. “You need to push your limits if you want to push Argentina and I am convinced that my team is ready.”
Liam Keating covers the World Cup in Kansas City for USA TODAY. He also covers high school sports and Washburn University for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Johan Manzambi out for Switzerland as it eyes historic World Cup upset vs. Argentina
Continue reading...
Switzerland will take on Argentina once again on Saturday, July 11. Xhaka made it clear that the upcoming game is not affected by the match from 12 years ago.
“It was not the most pleasant moment and we conceded a goal in the 118th minute,” Xhaka said. “Twelve years later, we are back and we will try to win against Argentina. We have a new mentality and football in Switzerland has improved a lot. We have become stronger not just in this tournament, but in the last few years.”
Johan Manzambi to miss Argentina clash
Switzerland is the obvious underdog against the defending champions. A major blow to the team’s chances will be the absence of midfielder Johan Manzambi. Swiss head coach Murat Yakin confirmed that Manzambi will miss the match against Argentina
World Cup: Why Kansas City is 'the heart of soccer' during 2026 World Cup
Manzambi suffered a knee injury during training last week. He also missed the round of 16 match against Colombia. He scored three goals and two assists in four World Cup matches. He's the only player on the roster to register three goals or more in the tournament.
“Unfortunately, Johan is in a lot of pain,” Yakin said. “This was shock to all of us. Momentum was not on his side. He has his teammates by his side. We will try to do our best as a team.”
This is Switzerland’s best performance since reaching the quarterfinals in 1954. To make even more history, Switzerland will need to put in a top performance. Shutting down the best player in the world, Lionel Messi, is objective number one, but the rest of the team will prove to be a tough challenge.
“It’s a difficult game for us,” right back Denis Zakaria said. “It’s not easy to play against the best team in the world. We have to have the perfect game and have to prepare as much as possible to be ready for tomorrow.”
Switzerland has not allowed a goal in 224 minutes dating back to the team's 2-1 win over Canada. The Swiss kept a 2-0 clean sheet over Algeria in the round of 32 before defeating Colombia in penalty kicks after the match finished 0-0.
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Switzerland continue 'dreaming' in historic World Cup run
It’s not like Argentina has breezed its way to this point, either. Switzerland can take solace in knowing that opposing teams have taken it to Argentina at many points of the tournament.
Cape Verde pushed Argentina into extra time, while Egypt went ahead 2-0 before crumbling down the stretch.
“I know my team and they like to run a lot, they do a lot for the unit of the team and defend really well,” Yakin said. “We will try to get away from the pressing of the Argentina team and seize the moments. We are going to be efficient. We also saw Cape Verde and Egypt had good moments when they played Argentina."
The World Cup belongs to the players and fans that dream. If Switzerland want a chance at even more history, the team must believe in itself. With a win, it would be Switzerland’s first-ever appearance in the semifinals.
With two big knockout performances, Switzerland is not short of confidence or belief.
“I am a person that is always dreaming and dreams can come true,” Xhaka said. “You need to push your limits if you want to push Argentina and I am convinced that my team is ready.”
Liam Keating covers the World Cup in Kansas City for USA TODAY. He also covers high school sports and Washburn University for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Johan Manzambi out for Switzerland as it eyes historic World Cup upset vs. Argentina
Continue reading...
