With Freuler, Elvedi and Ernst: this is how Yakin wants to beat Kosovo

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Although the majority of the players know each other, there are seven Kosovan-Swiss dual citizens in the Kosovo squad: this is the first time they have ever faced each other in a serious on-field battle. The test match in Letzigrund in March 2022 ended with a friendly 1-1.

Things are serious in Pristina now. Murat Yakin expects a fully motivated opponent. “They know us well and want to show themselves,” says the national coach. “But we want to do our best and win this match.”

He is of course aware that this match will be extremely emotional for many players on both sides. Nevertheless, Yakin demands absolute professionalism from everyone. “When the referee blows his whistle, it’s serious. Then the friendship is over until the final whistle. Then it’s about the three points and qualifying for the European Championship.”

Yakin: “We can help, that is also our job”

When asked which eleven players he wanted to start with, he said: “I always don’t announce the line-up.” Somehow he does it later. Asked about Remo Freuler and Nico Elvedi, who for different reasons have not played at all or only played a few minutes this season, he says: “They have both been training lately and are in the rhythm. “Moreover, certain automatisms have become ingrained in the national team.” And as an example he mentions Denis Zakaria, to whom he remained loyal in the national team, even when he did not play for Chelsea at all last spring. “We were able to help him, that is also our job.”

That means: Yakin wants to trust Manuel Akanji and Elvedi in central defense, Newcastle defender Fabian Schär thrives on the bench – as does neo-Wolfsburg Cédric Zesiger.

After the injury-related departure of Breel Embolo, shooting star Zeki Amdouni should be in the center of the forward line. He has shone brilliantly as a five-time goalscorer in the four European Championship qualifiers so far. After the narrow 2:1 against blatant outsider Andorra and the disappointing 2:2 against modest Romania in June, Yakin and his team have something to make up for.

Source : Blick