Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka is ready to write a “new chapter” at Euro 2024 after his dream season with Bayer Leverkusen. Xhaka, whose country face Hungary in their Euro opener today, helped Leverkusen spring a surprise as they went undefeated to win the Bundesliga title for the first time this term.
Xabi Alonso’s team also won the German Cup and reached the Europa League final before losing to Atalanta in a defeat that has provided Xhaka with all the motivation he needs at the Euros. Asked if it was possible to surpass Leverkusen’s golden campaign with Switzerland at the Euros, Xhaka said: “Magnificent, what does it mean? It hasn’t been a perfect season because we lost the Europa League final.
“It is a new chapter, a new challenge with the national team, and then with Leverkusen next season. I’m looking forward to the Euros starting for us tomorrow. We would like to win all the games of the group stage.”
Xhaka, 31, was hailed by Hungary coach Marco Rossi as one of the best players in the world at his position on Thursday. But, while plaudits are nice, the former Arsenal star is more focused on ensuring Switzerland emulate their run to the European Championship quarter-finals in 2021.
“Congratulations from the opposing coach are a pleasure. If I am among the best at my position, that is for others to say,” Xhaka said. “Success brings self-esteem. It has been an important challenge this season.”
Switzerland stunned France with a penalty shoot-out victory in the last 16 at the Covid-delayed Euro 2020, before losing to Spain on penalties in the quarter-finals. After reports of a recent rift between Switzerland boss Murat Yakin and his players over tactics, Xhaka insisted the air had been cleared in time for the Euros.
“We are glad to have a coach who is listening to us. We have never had problems,” he said. “We are adults. I had a great relationship with the coach in the last six to eight months. He came to visit me, we met for dinner. We are ambitious for the team and ourselves. That is all that matters. I packed my luggage to spend a lot of time here.”
Rossi wants Hungary to embrace expectations
Meanwhile, Hungary coach Marco Rossi has urged his side to embrace the pressure of being ranked as an emerging force at Euro 2024. Rossi’s team face Switzerland in their opening Group A fixture in Cologne today.
The Hungarians have arrived on the Euro stage thanks to Rossi’s astute guidance and the dynamic presence of Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield. While it will likely be too soon for Hungary to challenge for the trophy, they have genuine hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage from a group that also includes hosts Germany and Scotland.
But Rossi knows even that might not be enough to satisfy the demands of Hungary’s fanatical support and he challenged his players to treat the expectations as a source of motivation. “I think my players feel the expectations, the hype and the pressure. It is a tournament which will be watched all over the world,” Rossi said.
“We would like to be the protagonists, to give joy and happiness to our supporters. These are not matches between friends. We have this pressure and it is unavoidable. But it is important to keep the focus on what we need to do, not on ifs and buts.”
Hungary’s golden era came when Ferenc Puskas’ ‘Mighty Magyars’ finished as runners-up at the 1954 World Cup. Rossi’s crop may not be at that level, but they are competing at their third successive European Championship after an unbeaten qualifying campaign. A friendly loss to the Republic of Ireland last week was Hungary’s first defeat since 2022, a superb run that has convinced pundits to tip them as the dark horse of the tournament. Now Rossi wants the current generation to write their own history.
Rossi believes stopping Switzerland’s Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka will be key to their hopes of starting with a win. “The recent career of Xhaka speaks for itself, he won the German league and went to the Europa League final,” he said. “He is a key player for Switzerland. He is the source of play and somehow we need to limit him.”
Switzerland’s captain Granit Xhaka (left) with his teammates during a training session in Stuttgart, on the eve of their UEFA Euro match against Hungary. (AFP)
