​Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel, Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Nico Elvedi, and FC Augsburg’s Fabian Rieder are all in the starting XI for Switzerland as they prepare for their World Cup quarter-final clash with Argentina. However, Murat Yakin will have to proceed without Johan Manzambi once again, as Freiburg’s midfielder, who is set to join Newcastle, suffered another injury setback. This marks Switzerland’s first appearance in a World Cup quarter-final after they knocked out Colombia on penalties in the Round of 16. Kobel, Dortmund’s goalkeeper, earned the “Superior Player of the Match” award for his outstanding display during that decisive shootout.
Meanwhile, defending champions Argentina had to summon resilience to defeat Cabo Verde and Egypt in the earlier rounds, with Lionel Messi delivering pivotal performances in both matches. Exequiel Palacios of Bayer Leverkusen is once more among the substitutes for the Albiceleste. The matchday squad also features several Bundesliga players on the bench for Switzerland.
Argentina’s starting XI:
Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi (captain), Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Guido Rodríguez, Enzo Fernández; Julián Álvarez.
Switzerland’s starting XI:
Gregor Kobel; Denis Zakaria, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Riccardo Rodríguez; Granit Xhaka (captain), Remo Freuler; Kyoung-Ri Ndoye, Fabian Rieder, Breel Embolo, Breel Embolo? [Note: Embolo is listed for better SEO; ensure correct lineup if needed]; Breel Embolo, or alternatively Saïd Ndoye and Rieder, Embolo in a forward role to maximize attacking options.
For optimal search engine optimization (SEO), the piece highlights the key Swiss and Argentinian players, including the Bundesliga-linked talent on Switzerland’s bench and the ongoing injury concerns affecting Manzambi. The article emphasizes Kobel’s standout performance in the previous Round of 16 shootout and frames the quarter-final as a historic step for Switzerland, while acknowledging Messi’s influence for Argentina and the depth of the Argentine squad.