Title: Why Zubi Sees Nati Star Shaqiri on the Bench
Before the European Championship in Germany, there is a hot debate: What role will Xherdan Shaqiri play in Murat Yakin’s team? blue Sports expert Pascal Zuberbühler takes a clear stance in the football talk show „Heimspiel.“
Is Xherdan Shaqiri part of the starting lineup for Nati Coach Murat Yakin in the European Championship in Germany, or will the 32-year-old have to settle for a substitute role?
In the football talk show „Heimspiel,“ expert Pascal Zuberbühler and Michael Wegmann, head of blue News Sport, assess the situation shortly before the start of the tournament.
Zubi makes it clear that he sees the 123-time international player as a substitute and explains under what conditions this could be a stroke of luck for the Nati.
In the penultimate Euro Cup test match for the Swiss national team, Xherdan Shaqiri played the full game and even scored against Estonia. However, in the final preparation match against Austria, the 32-year-old spent 66 minutes on the bench. Are the plans of Nati Coach Murat Yakin to use the exceptional player as a regular starter or a substitute?
There are questions about the fitness level of the MLS player. „He is a smaller, stocky player. But as you age, you don’t get fitter,“ says blue Sports expert Pascal Zuberbühler in the football talk show „Heimspiel bei der Nati,“ emphasizing the importance of having the eleven fittest players on the field. Zubi would not take the risk with Shaqiri. „He is undoubtedly an exceptional player with the ball. But for this tournament, I prefer to see someone like Ruben Vargas, who runs up and down the sidelines, creating space for other players. I also prefer to see Ndoye or Widmer on the wing, who march endlessly,“ says the former Nati goalkeeper.
Michael Wegmann, head of blue News Sport, observes after the test match against Estonia: „He is still world-class with the ball. But there was a lack of speed in the 1-v-1 situations. The signs are there that Shaqiri will start on the bench.“
Shaqiri in a substitute role could be a stroke of luck for Switzerland, according to Zubi. „I have a feeling that it would be sensational for this Nati if Shaqiri comes off the bench and then does something special. I see him more in that position.“
However, the prerequisite is that the 123-time international player accepts this role. „This is a big task for Murat Yakin. In the media, you read everywhere about the topic. But there are tough cases. If you look at other nations, how many top players have stayed at home. These are situations that are not positive for the athlete, as it might be for Shaqiri now,“ says Zubi, convinced that „If he accepts it correctly, it could be a huge gain for us.“
In conclusion, the decision lies with Nati Coach Murat Yakin on how to utilize Xherdan Shaqiri’s talents effectively in the upcoming European Championship, balancing fitness levels, skills, and team dynamics for the best possible outcome. The debate continues as fans eagerly await the tournament to see how Shaqiri’s role unfolds.