Ahead of the round of 16 clash against Italy, Nati coach Murat Yakin is a guest on "Heimspiel bei der Nati". He reveals details of his talks with Shaqiri and talks about his expiring contract.
No time? blue Sport summarizes for you
- Murat Yakin is a guest on "Heimspiel bei der Nati" on blue Sport. The national team coach gives insights into the national team camp and also talks about individual players.
- "The conversation with Shaq was also very constructive, he was very insightful," reveals Yakin. Not a matter of course: after all, he put the Nati star back on the bench against Germany after his dream goal against Scotland.
Murat Yakin rides up on his bike in a good mood. He is pleased that blue Sport has moved the studio for the "home game with the national team" under the trees due to the intense heat. "Thank you for taking pity on the guests."
Yakin's mood is as good as the weather. No wonder, given that he and his team are doing so well at the European Championships in Germany.
So good, in fact, that he is also able to talk about more sensitive topics. For example, on the subject of Xherdan Shaqiri. The superstar who, after scoring a sensational goal in the 1:1 draw against Scotland, had to stew on the bench again for 90 minutes against Germany. Yakin reveals: "The conversation with Shaq was also very constructive, he was very understanding. Shaq is a leader, he was pleased to have played his part in the success."
The tactics discussion with Shaqiri
After Füllkrug's late equalizer, Shaqiri even wanted to discuss tactics with him, Yakin revealed to blue Sport. "He came to me and said: 'Hey coach, why didn't you bring an extra defender into the game?" Yakin is delighted: "It's great that he's already thinking about it. And it's great how happy he was. I then explained our thoughts to him."
And what were they? After all, Yakin could have made two more changes to take time off the clock. Yakin: "We were good defensively and had everything under control. Substituting an extra defender in the last five minutes, who only has to work against the ball, made no sense in our eyes. Giorgio Contini and I considered bringing on Elvedi or Zesiger, but then decided against it."
Yakin takes the late equalizer in his stride. "The Germans played this attack perfectly, everything was just right. We have to accept and respect that."
Yakin: "We are not in contract talks"
There is less to say when it comes to his personal future. As we know, Yakin's contract expires at the end of the European Championship. Will he extend it or look for another challenge?
Yakin reveals that there are no talks about his future at the team hotel. "I have absolutely no time for that now. I'm concentrating fully on the European Championship. We have agreed that we will hold talks after the final round - and we will stick to that."
