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Xhaka: We saw a strong Switzerland
Granit Xhaka praised Switzerland's collective display in the 4-1 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina, and hit back at his recent critics — saying what happens on the pitch is all that matters to him
World Cup
Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka was in high spirits after the emphatic 4-1 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina in Group B.
"If praise is due, I'll give it. If something is wrong, I'll criticise too. We saw a strong Switzerland today. We were a unit — with and without the ball. We did a lot of the hard work and won important duels. We played a very good match for 90 minutes. We knew we had to perform as one. Yes, we have individual quality in the squad — today those who came on made the difference. We need every single player. We also had to be mentally ready, even if you don't start from the beginning."
On the criticism directed at him in recent days, Xhaka was pointed: "People know who I am. There are certain people who can't handle criticism. I'm someone who criticises myself before criticising others. It's always perceived differently when I say something — but I don't know another way. Switzerland can be proud to have a player with 148 caps playing for the colours, for the nation, with pure pride. But maybe I need that — to provoke myself a little. What matters to me is that the team is behind me. We have to perform together; everything else has never interested me.
It hurts, because there are things I don't understand. A lot was written. There was a big article the day before yesterday that didn't go unnoticed. But for me what matters is what I can influence on the pitch — nothing else. I don't feel that anyone, even one percent, is not behind me. I am here for success and I will keep pursuing it for as long as I am in this team."
- #TeamPPts
- #TeamPPts
