Switzerland and Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has sent a message to his Gunners teammates ahead of the Switzerland and Brazil Monday World Cup clash.
The 30-year-old Switzerland midfielder has threatened to keep his World Cup promise by “smashing” the Brazilian stars and Arsenal teammates Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli when they meet on Monday, November 28.
The 2022 Qatar World Cup has been met with tons of intriguing moments with some of the favorite teams meeting their Waterloos already while less-expected teams have been seizing the show.
Meanwhile, the current Premier League toppers Arsenal, have taken their eminence into the World Cup as nearly half of their 10 representatives in the Qatar World Cup tournament have been superb.
Switzerland’s opener match saw Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka get off to a perfect start by beating Cameroon 1-0.
The Gunners midfielder Granit Xhaka could have doubled the goal as he came close to grabbing a second for his side but was denied by Andre Onana.
On the other hand, the Brazilian team started their opening round of group-stage games with a 2-0 victory over Serbia.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli both started as substitute players in the second half but were impressive throughout the 2-0 victory against Serbia.
However, the two Brazilians will face Xhaka’s Switzerland in Group G with both countries hungry for a win that will send the winner to the Last 16.
Meanwhile, Switzerland’s daring captain had warned his Arsenal team-mates Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli before leaving for Qatar that he was going to smash them if they meet as opponents.
Xhaka said: “We were joking before the World Cup to come here and of course, it is always good if you have team-mates opposite your, but we are professional footballers and for 90 minutes.
“I told Gabby Martinelli and Gabby Jesus if you are running one against our goalkeeper I will smash you!
“It doesn’t matter that we are playing in the same team. This is the Word Cup. You play for your own team, you play for your own country and you want to win.
“Of course, they were worried. They know me. If I smash you, it will be very very hard.”
Though Switzerland managed to secure a 1-0 victory in their opening game against Cameroon, the Swiss coach Murat Yakin believes his team’s performance was far below what could earn them a significant place in the tournament.
Now that Switzerland will be playing against the five-time world champions Brazil, Xhaka and his Swiss teammates must ensure they leave no room for errors against Brazil.
In ensuring this, the 30-year-old Swiss midfielder has forewarned his countrymen to be more careful and prepare against the potential damage the Brazilians can do as “they [Brazil] can defeat three strong teams at a go”
Xhaka added: “The first game is important. It gives you a lot of confidence.
“If you see the next two games, they will be more difficult than Cameroon, on paper.
“We enjoy the three points and now we are focused on Brazil.
“Of course, we will have to be much more careful against Brazil than we were against Cameroon. If you lose the ball against Brazil you pay for it. They have great, great quality.”
The two countries (Switzerland Vs Brazil) met in the last World Cup and drew 1-1.
It remains to be seen if they will both split the spoilt as they did before in their struggle to qualify from the group stage.
On day six of the Qatar World Cup tournament, both Switzerland and Brazil will lock horns at Stadium 974 today, Monday, November 28 in their second group-stage fixture.
The Kickoff time for the match is scheduled for 17:00.
