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Switzerland will be without Johan Manzambi for their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal against defending champions Argentina after the youngster failed to recover from injury, head coach Murat Yakin confirmed on Friday (local time), according to Reuters.
Speaking ahead of the high-stakes clash, Yakin said the team had done everything possible to make Manzambi available but the midfielder was still unable to play. "We tried everything that we could to get him (Johan Manzambi) back, unfortunately, he's unable to perform tomorrow," Yakin said, as quoted by Reuters. The Switzerland coach described the setback as a major disappointment for both the player and the squad, highlighting the positive impact Manzambi had made during the tournament. "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," he added. Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka brushed aside claims that his team, who have reached the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 72 years, were overly focused on Lionel Messi, stressing that their priority is defeating defending champions Argentina. The remarks came after former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann suggested on German television that Swiss players showed "too much respect" for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and were more interested in leaving the match with Messi's shirt than securing a victory. "We cannot influence what people say about us," Xhaka told reporters, as quoted by Reuters. "The only thing we can do is we can perform and show what we can do on the pitch. Nothing else matters." "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," he added. The 33-year-old said facing defending champions Argentina would be one of the biggest moments of his career. "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," he added. (ANI)
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