“Neymar’s absence won’t change much. Without him, Brazil is still a great team!” On D-2, Nico Elvedi measures the magnitude of the task awaiting the Swiss team for its second match in this World Cup.
Nico Elvedi followed the Brazil-Serbia match in his bedroom. “With a particular eye on Richarlison who will, in principle, be my direct opponent“he specifies. “We saw how fast he is and, of course, very strong at the end“.
The Zurich man did not know yet on Saturday whether he would start against Brazil or “preserved” because of the yellow card received against Cameroon in view of the match against Serbia. “The coach has not spoken to me yet. But if I play, I will play my match, without thinking about a possible second yellow card.” It should be noted that the same problem arises for Manuel Akanji.
“All teams are available”
Present 4 years ago in Russia but as the 4th central defender behind Manuel Akanji, Fabian Schär and Johan Djourou, Nico Elvedi will have waited for his 42nd selection to play his 1st match in the World Cup. He remained number two in the hierarchy behind Manuel Akanji, but finds himself ahead of a Fabian Schär who has nevertheless had a remarkable start to the season with Newcastle. “I wasn’t too worried about my status“, he admits.
On Monday, Nico Elvedi knows that the Swiss team will have to play in a very compact way. “It will have to stay the whole game“. Asked if Brazil is takeable, the Mönchengladbach defender replies that “all the teams are in this World Cup“. The Zurich player stresses, however, that it was France that left him with the best impression during these first meetings.
ats/pc