Yakin Explains Xhaka’s Absence from Norway Clash Starting XI

The Swiss national team faces Norway in Oslo on Tuesday at 18:00. All attention will fall on Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

Haaland threat and Swiss preparations

Haaland has 55 goals in 48 international appearances. He struck 16 times in the World Cup qualifiers.

Norway reached the World Cup for the first time in 28 years. Yakin warned the squad to prepare for the whole team, not only Haaland.

Manuel Akanji knows Haaland well. Yakin said Akanji must get help from teammates to contain the forward.

Yakin explains Xhaka’s absence and the starting XI

Coach Murat Yakin confirmed Granit Xhaka will not start because of heavy workload. The captain is expected to be available as a substitute.

Yakin will choose the replacement after the final training session. Ardon Jashari is a strong candidate after his second-half display against Germany.

Rotation, goalkeeper switch and match plan

Yvon Mvogo will start in goal in place of Gregor Kobel. Yakin plans multiple changes, as he did in Basel against Germany.

Switzerland lost 4-3 to Germany four days earlier. In that game, Yakin made ten alterations to the line-up.

The coach wants to evaluate players on the pitch. He plans tweaks at half-time and after the 60th minute to give more players chances.

Tactical notes from the squad

Midfielder Michel Aebischer urged a collective response to Haaland. He called man-to-man marking presumptuous and said the team must solve it together.

Without Haaland, Norway lost 1-2 to the Netherlands. The striker rested in that match and is likely to return to the starting XI on Tuesday.

The friendly arrives roughly two and a half months before the World Cup starts. Yakin will use the game to assess readiness and adjust his squad. Filmogaz.com will follow the match and report developments.