Switzerland Without Manzambi for Argentina Quarter-Final as Xhaka Dismisses Messi Distraction

Yakin confirms Manzambi out as Switzerland prepare to face Argentina

Switzerland reach their first World Cup quarter-final since 1954 but will be without Johan Manzambi vs Argentina. Xhaka says revenge for 2014 isn’t the motivation.

Xhaka says Switzerland focused on upsetting Argentina, not just Messi...

Captain Granit Xhaka dismissed suggestions Switzerland, who have made the quarter-finals for the first time in 72 years, were preoccupied with eight-times Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, insisting the focus was on upsetting Argentina.

Former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann had raised eyebrows ‌this week when he claimed on German television that Swiss players ⁠appeared to have “too much respect” for Messi and only ‌wanted to leave the game with the Argentine captain's shirt.

“We tried everything that we could to get him back; unfortunately, he's unable to ‌perform tomorrow,” Yakin said.

“Johan Manzambi is in a lot of pain. It was a shock to all of ‌us. This momentum was on his side, and there is so much joy when he plays ‌football.”

Captain Granit Xhaka brushed off claims that Switzerland were distracted by eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, saying the team’s only focus was on knocking out Argentina.

Jens Lehmann sparked debate this week when he suggested on German TV that Switzerland looked to have “too much respect” for Messi and were just hoping to walk away with his jersey.

“We cannot influence what people say about us,” Xhaka told reporters on Friday. “The only thing we can do is we can perform and show what we can do on the pitch. Nothing else matters.”

Yakin suggested the best way to limit Messi's influence was to deny him possession altogether. “When we have the ball, then he won't be able to act as much,” he said. “We just try to play our game and not allow him to play ⁠the ball.

“There are many solutions, and we try to find the best solution. Tomorrow, on the pitch, we will perform as a unit. We will try to play good passes, press high against an Argentinian team, the reigning champions.”

The 33-year-old Xhaka called Saturday’s match one of the biggest moments of his Switzerland career, with the team in a World Cup quarter-final for the first time since 1954.

“It's going to be a highlight of my career, indeed,” the Sunderland midfielder said. “Every moment when you can do something that special, it feels different.

“Now after 72 years, to be able to be here with Switzerland and to play against the reigning champions, it just makes me very proud.

“But I am not here to talk. I want to take the next steps, and we're very close to the end. I am yearning for it, I am hungry and now we just need to show how much we really want it on the pitch.”

Xhaka played in Switzerland’s 1-0 extra-time defeat to Argentina in the last 16 of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but he doesn’t see Saturday’s rematch as a chance for revenge.

“It's not going to be revenge. This is a completely different match,” he said. “Now we are in the quarter-final, and we want to win. This ‌is our overarching aim.

“Regarding (Swiss) fans: keep dreaming. I am a person who always dreams, and dreams can come true. If we want to fulfil our dreams, you need to work, you need to sweat, you need to push your limits if you want to beat Argentina.”

Switzerland also shrugged off the forecast hot conditions in Kansas City, saying they won’t help Argentina despite the reigning champions being based in Missouri for the entire tournament.