Proud Nati captain Xhaka: "We destroyed them with our body language before the game"

The day after the triumph over Italy, Nati director Pierluigi Tami and captain Granit Xhaka answer journalists' questions.

Granit Xhaka looks totally relaxed the day after the win against Italy, even though he is not pain-free. When asked about the fact that he has only lost one game this season, the national team captain says: "I hate losing, even in training." There are many players in the team who have had a really strong season and are playing week in, week out. Xhaka believes the team is hungrier than ever. He is also proud of the team's performance. At the last European Championship, they had actually already lost to the Italians before kick-off, but this time it was the other way around: "We destroyed them with our body language before the game even started," says Xhaka without appearing arrogant.

In retrospect, the weak phase last fall was probably even a stroke of luck: "The bad phase in qualifying opened our eyes," says Xhaka. He also admits mistakes and says: "We are much more honest and open when something isn't right." Everything is addressed and clarified within the team. Xhaka doesn't make any big statements, but he does say once: "I have the feeling that we're not finished yet." The European Championship quarter-finals should not be the end of the line.

What national team director Tami says about the coaching question

On the day after reaching the quarter-finals, national team director Pierluigi Tami is particularly impressed by the way Switzerland made it through to the last eight. Asked about their possible quarter-final opponents England, Tami said: "We have respect for both teams. It could be Slovakia or England," he clarified. The Slovaks have impressed as a team, while the English have more individual class. "I'm not saying I prefer Slovakia or England."

By the skin of their teethEngland squeeze through to the quarter-finals to face Switzerland

Tami is also asked whether he is worried that Yakin might not want to extend his contract after the European Championship. Because it is not yet clear which coach the national team will go into the future with. Tami smiles away the question: "I'm not afraid, no." Yakin is very focused and full of energy and they are all happy that he is here. He has not heard any rumors that Yakin could move to the Arab world. "Murat will then tell us whether there is anything or not." But they are all fully focused on the European Championship.

The media conference in the ticker

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How important is the experience factor?
"I think you have to have a good mix." In Switzerland, the older they get, the better they get. "And the youngsters follow suit," says the captain. "The older players are still hungry to succeed and the youngsters are too, otherwise something would have gone wrong." Xhaka's final words: "It can go on like this."
Xhaka on his daughters
"The big one already understands a bit more than the little one," says Xhaka when asked about his children. He had thought that he would have a little more time in Germany, but it was the other way around. But they know what kind of job he has. It's also quite possible that his older daughter will be watching the next game in the stadium.
Surely there are players who are not so happy?
What does Xhaka have to do to keep players happy who don't play that much? "The only thing that counts is to step on the gas and make it as difficult as possible for the coach." Shaqiri, of course, has a lot of experience, while Okafor is perhaps less patient. Fabian Rieder is a prime example of how this works. He took his chance against Germany and was allowed to play again against Italy.
Xhaka has only lost one game this season ...
Granit Xhaka and Manuel Akanji only lost one game last season. Xhaka: "I hate losing, even in training." But many other players also had a very good season. "You can see that we have a team where the players have regularly played at international level." He continued: "The team is hungrier than ever." This is evident in their attitude. "We destroyed them with our body language before the game", which was just the opposite at the last European Championship.
Wouldn't they be where they are now without the crisis?
The crisis opened his eyes. "I didn't fulfill my role as captain as I should have." Xhaka continues: "We are much more honest and open when something is wrong." Another positive aspect is that Switzerland can now rotate without any performance issues. The quality across the board is getting better and better.
Is Xhaka in pain?
"I wasn't able to train with the team on Thursday," says Xhaka, "but I was back in the final training session on Friday". He was able to play 90 minutes, which is important. "The pain can be there now", as there are still seven days until the next game.
How does Alonso affect him?
"As I said, you get older, you get more experienced." As a young person, you say things that you perhaps shouldn't say. He also learns from every coach: "I'm also a guy who wants to learn. I said to myself: I haven't reached my limit yet." But he thinks he's on the right track.
Does Xhaka have a say in substitutions?
In the 66th minute, Xhaka joined Yakin, five minutes later a change was made. What happened there? "I only pass on information that my teammates give me. Ruben told me there were only five minutes left." He only passed on the information, he did not initiate the change. His relationship with Murat is very, very good.
Did you talk to Yakin about the system?
How does Xhaka explain the fact that they are playing "light years" better than in the fall? And why does the Nati play like Leverkusen? "You can't compare the Nati with Leverkusen." But: "The poor phase in qualifying opened our eyes." That was simply not enough. But it's good when the relationship between players and coach is good. When Murat visited him in Düsseldorf, it was almost not about football at all. "It's about passion, it's about energy, it's about a positive mindset." The system comes afterwards.
Are we seeing the best Xhaka right now?
"I don't like to compare myself with previous performances." He is a bit older and more experienced. This is his sixth major event. "I'm proud to be part of this team." And he is simply trying to help the team, on and off the pitch.
How far can Switzerland go?
"Every win gives you confidence. But yesterday's game gave us more than just confidence. Of course, it's about simply getting further. We don't know how far we'll get. But we'll give it our all." Like Tami before him, Xhaka is also extremely satisfied with the way they performed. They would simply take it game by game. "I have the feeling that we're not done yet."
How was the kebab after the game?
"After 30 days or more without a kebab, it was very good. Thanks to Breel for organizing it and the nutritionists for allowing it." Some even ate two.
What did Xhaka say to Ruben Vargas?
Granit, you encouraged Ruben to shoot. How was that exactly? "I had a gut feeling. As soon as we came onto the pitch, I told him you have to shoot at goal." Ruben is a team player who always wants to bring others into the game. But that's why he told him to shoot.
How is Xhaka?
You're a bit tired after a game like that. But I'm fine.
Explanation for the delay
Granit Xhaka had fulfilled some autograph requests from children, which is why there was a short delay.
The press conference with Granit Xhaka will begin shortly
The best way to pass the time
The media conference with Granit Xhaka continues at 6.10 pm. So there's still time to listen to blue Sport's football podcast Heimspiel bei der Nati.
That's it for now - Tami leaves the podium
Tami has answered all the questions. The media conference with Granit Xhaka follows at 18:10.
How do you characterize England?
We have respect for both teams. It could be Slovakia or England. Slovakia represent the values of a team more. On the other hand, they have incredible individual strengths. But I'm not saying I prefer Slovakia or England. We know we have to show the same performance against another team.
Is Tami afraid that he will soon have to look for a new coach?
I'm not afraid. I see a Yakin who is very positive. I see how he works every day. We are very happy with how the group works, everyone can benefit from it.
Are the long breaks between games a good thing?
It's good that we have a few more days. The fifth game in a row, we have six days before the next game. I remember we had eight days before the France game back then. Recovery is almost more important than the workload at the moment.
Substitutes also bring energy - do you need the staff for that?
I think they're professional people. Everyone knows that there are players who don't get that many chances. But maybe I talk to them a few more times, they need support too and they always need to feel that they are important. When your moment comes, you have to be ready. That means you have to train well and be mentally ready. You need a ball and you can write your story at the Euros.
Is it even more in your head than usual?
We feel at every moment that everything is going well. I don't think there is one element. There are many important elements. When you talk about the head, it's complicated because there are also 26 heads and not just one. But I think for everyone, the focus is always on the next game. But self-confidence increases and then you only have positive thoughts and that's noticeable.
Tami on Akanji, who has also become even more of a leader
I see a Manu who is very calm and composed. His strengths are well known. But we've always said that at the club it's one thing, at the national team it's another. But I have the feeling that every player knows what we should do in every phase of football. I'm proud of the performances and the football we've shown. We've always said that the team makes the success. Of course, there are important players, including leaders, but success is only possible thanks to the whole team. But everyone can see how important Akanji is. He also shows this aplomb on the pitch.
Tami on changes to the staff
In Qatar we weren't physically ready in the fourth game, many were ill. Now things are going very well, every detail is important. I've seen many tournaments where we weren't so consistent in the fourth game. The legs and the head are one hundred percent ready.
Tami on Granit Xhaka's performance
I think what Granit Xhaka is showing, he's very happy to be playing with our national team. He feels very comfortable in this group. There's a positivity that everyone can benefit from. The substitutes also give us energy, everyone benefits from their behavior. I see a very calm and content Granit, who is also very focused on his job.
Tami on the players' ambitions
We have said we want to look step by step. But I'm happy when the players talk like that. They were very happy with the qualification and their performance. But after the euphoria of the fans, it's important that we keep our feet on the ground. We're still feeling the emotions, but now it's important to clear our heads again. I'm glad that the players have already turned their focus to the future.
Tami on the tactics
The staff talked a lot about Italy's possible back four. But the players were ready for any plan. I think they did everything right. I saw a team that knows exactly how it wants to play. We were in control of the game. We pressed very well and won the ball immediately. The game went perfectly for us.
Tami on the good spirit
Yesterday we were better than our opponents in all elements of football, physicality, tactics, technique and mentality. (...) The good spirit doesn't just happen, it takes everyone.
Tami on the way Switzerland play
I like to talk about performance. We really want to qualify. I was also surprised by the way we were so dominant. I don't know whether Italy were good or not, but I do know that our team did a very good job.
There are more important things than football
Before Tami talks about the game, he expresses his sympathy for the victims of the floods in Switzerland. There are also players who have relatives in the regions.
PK with Nati Director Pierluigi Tami and Granit Xhaka
Nati director Pierluigi Tami is scheduled to address the media at 5.00 pm. National team captain Granit Xhaka will then follow at 6.10 pm. The mood among the two should be pretty good on the day after the quarter-final.
Assessments of the win against Italy
The Nati grades for the Italy game
Quarter-finals here we comeThese 6 Nati stars get a grade of 6 for their dismantling of Italy
Praise for the Nati, bashing for Italy
Press review"The Swiss are among the best in the tournament" - "Italy loses face"
The best reactions"Pasta la vista": This is how the internet laughs after the Italians are out
Goalscorer in the round of 16After his apology, Freuler stabs Italy in the heart again
What the players said immediately after the win
More comments on the game
What the Nati heroes say"We have an incredibly great team" - "We can carry on like this"
"Bad taste"Italy coach Spalletti puts Swiss journalist in his place
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