The representative of Switzerland has invited four Albanian footballers for the qualifying matches in September as part of the qualifications for "Euro 2024". The Swiss coach, Murat Yakin, on Wednesday published the list of 24 players for the duels with Kosovo and Andorra. In his list, he included four Albanians. Captain Granit Xhaka, vice-captain Xherdan Shaqiri, as well as Ardon Jashari and Uran Bislimi will be part of Switzerland's squad.
The "Helvetics" start training on Monday, while they will play the first qualifying match of September against Kosovo. On September 9, they will face "Dardans" at the "Fadil Vokrri" stadium in Pristina, which is expected to be overcrowded. Three days after this duel, Switzerland will play in Sion against the representative of Andorra. Switzerland's coach, Yakin, at the press conference, insisted that all the players on his list deserved the invitation. As for the September matches, Yakin has asked his team to be maximally focused. He admitted that the goal is to get full points in these two matches.
"The matches in September are very special and we must be 100 percent focused, in order to take another step towards achieving our goal, which is to participate in next year's European Championship held in Germany". Yakin expressed. "We must prepare well and be at a high level until the last second. He for the match with Kosovo and Andorra".
These matches belong to the qualifying Group I, which is led by Switzerland with 10 points collected after four matches played. In second place is Romania with eight points, one more than Israel which ranks fourth. The representative of Belarus has three points, the same as Kosovo, with which they share positions 4 and 5. Meanwhile, Andorra is the last in the group with only one point collected. Yakin assessed the match with Kosovo as very difficult even though he admitted that the goal is to get full points in Pristina. He praised "Dardans" highly and said that they are one of the strongest opponents in the group. Also, he did not forget to mention the fact that it is a special duel due to the connection of the players with Kosovo.
"Kosovo is a strong team and one of the strongest teams in our group despite their current position in the rankings. It's also a special match because many of their players have ties to Switzerland and vice versa," said Yakin.
Yakin has insisted that there is no special agreement with any of the Albanian footballers that he has invited to the list for the duel against Kosovo. He takes into account their background, but says that he has not and will not take measures for them. Xhaka and Shaqiri are expected to be Switzerland's leaders against Kosovo.
"There are no special measures. I can imagine they will give us a warm welcome. We played against each other in Zurich and it was like a game between friends", said Yakin.
also
Six Albanians in Switzerland, how many of them will be in Europe
Unlike Switzerland, which has three victories in these qualifications so far, Kosovo is still looking for its first victory. In four matches played so far, Kosovo has recorded three draws and one loss. It was defeated 3:1 in the last duel against Belarus, while it drew with Romania, Andorra and Israel. With Israel and Andorra he played 1:1, while with Romania without goals. In charge of Kosovo against Switzerland, the new selector, Slovenian Primozh Gliha, is expected to make his debut. Gliha in this position has replaced the Frenchman Alain Giresse who left after the surprising defeat by Belarus. Kosovo is expected to start the gathering for the September duels on Monday, while Gliha will publish the list of invited players this week. In addition to Switzerland, "Dardans" will play another match in September as part of the qualifications for next year's European Championship. On September 12, they will play in Bucharest against the Romanian team.
Switzerland lead the qualifying Group I with 10 points collected after four games played, leaving behind Romania with 8 points and Israel with 7.
Belarus occupies the fourth place with 3 points, as does Kosovo, which ranks fifth. Meanwhile, Andorra is last in the group with just one point collected.
