Switzerland will again have to do without injured star Johan Manzambi in the World Cup quarter-final against defending champions Argentina, coach Murat Yakin said on Friday.
“Unfortunately Johan cannot play tomorrow. We tried to get Johan fit, but it is not possible yet,” Yakin told a news conference ahead of Saturday’s match at the home of NFL side the Kansas City Chiefs.
Manzambi had to stop training the day before the round-of-16 match against Colombia because of a bruised knee and was absent from the win on penalties. The 20-year-old, set to sign for Newcastle from Freiburg, has scored three goals at the tournament.
“It hurts a lot,” Yakin said, also describing it as a “shock moment” that he could not recover in time.
Nevertheless, Switzerland’s hopes of an upset against Argentina and superstar Lionel Messi remain alive.
Granit Xhaka said captaining Switzerland to their first World Cup quarter-final since their home World Cup in 1954 had made him “proud.”
“But I did not come here just to stand here, we also want to take the next step,” he said.
Confidence comes from the performance against Colombia. The game ended 0-0 and the Swiss prevailed on penalties.
“If we show that unity once more we can also upset Argentina,” Xhaka added.
