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After the Kosovo draw and Xhaka’s controversial statements about training intensity, the Swiss national team showed a reaction against Andorra.
«The answer comes on the pitch. I have that, the team showed that once again today,” said Nati captain Granit Xhaka after the 3-0 win against Andorra. Once again it wasn’t an exciting game for Switzerland, but the output was right this time.
Since the draw against Kosovo and Xhaka’s controversial statements (“We had little speed in training all week – that’s how we performed”), the national team had experienced turbulent days.
The captain continues to stand behind the content of his statement – but he admitted after the Andorra game that the timing and manner were not optimal. “I should have addressed it internally earlier. But unfortunately I am the way I am.” He hopes that the coach and the team didn’t take this personally. His statements “were also a bit of a wake-up call to the team and to me.” It was important that all of this was discussed.
It shows that sometimes we need friction in order to deliver again on the pitch.
The 30-year-old’s wake-up call seems to have worked against Andorra. «We knew that we had to do more in the second half and increase the tempo. We did that very well,” said Xhaka, who gave the assist to make it 1-0 and scored the 2-0 himself.
Renato Steffen also spoke of an “improvement run” and was satisfied with the successful reaction to the Kosovo game “after difficult days”. “It shows that this team is alive and that we sometimes need friction in order to deliver again on the pitch.” After all the hustle and bustle, we discussed internally that there needed to be more from everyone – young and old. That was successful. “That’s why I’m very proud of the team today.”
Coach Murat Yakin was also satisfied after the mandatory win. “It was a tough start and it took patience.” But the coach didn’t want to know much more about the whole issue surrounding Xhaka and his criticism or his “suggestion” and a “need” for friction in the team. The issue is closed for him.