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Brazil and Switzerland’s World Cup showdown will bring Granit Xhaka against Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus. The Gunners’ vice-captain has warned the Brazilian duo to not expect a soft response and he will put professional allegiances aside on national team duty.
Both sides are fighting for pole position in Group G, the Canarinha leading thanks to their higher offensive output. Jesus and Martinelli took the pitch from the bench while Xhaka started from the get-go.
The Switzerland midfielder has been a mainstay at the Emirates. Jesus joined Arsenal from Manchester City while Martinelli is enjoying his third season with the current Premier League leaders.
The clash of club teammates on international duty can cause rifts and Xhaka does not care. He shared that they have joked with each other about the eventuality but personal relationships will count for nought during the 90 minutes of regulation time.
Jesus and Martinelli would have shared their experiences in the Brazillian dugout about the hard-hitting midfielder. Xhaka’s no-nonsense approach in the midfield will be important for the Swiss as they look to tame the creative Brazil.
“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 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.”
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It's now Xhaka vs G.Jesus and G.Martinelli 🔥
Xhaka captains and Starts for Switzerland.
Both Gabi's on the bench for Brazil. pic.twitter.com/Ami5S7SQRu— Ndubueze Prince Chiagoziem (@NdubuezePrince5) November 28, 2022
A different Brazil against Switzerland
While Neymar took punishment from the Serbian defence, Vinicius Jr and Richarlison were given to freedom to boss the Balkans. The latter impressed with a brace that was enough to earn the three points on offer.
Thanks to the beating, Neymar will probably not participate further in the World Cup group stages. It will allow them to give opportunities to their exciting crop of reserves, players that are as tricky as the PSG man albeit not as much accomplished.
There will be further changes in the squad as Tite prepares to earn an early qualification to the Round of 16. Given the vast troves of quality available, Brazil can mix and match their numbers against the Swiss.
Xhaka knows that it will be difficult to know their rivals’ plans, stating that they can play three different teams if they wish to.
“I expect a different game. If you see the Brazil players, they can put out three teams,” he said. “They have the quality, they have big talents that are coming through, but they know us as well, that it is not always easy to play against us and we want to give them as difficult a game as possible and hopefully we can turn something around for us.”
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