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The day after the friendly loss to Croatia, it is clear: Xherdan Shaqiri can fly to Spain. Only Manuel Akanji is corona-positive, the Swiss delegation currently has no other cases.
Shaqiri’s Big Twist: He is allowed to travel to Spain with Switzerland. The first use since June 2019 for the national team could become a fact.
They lost 1: 2 to Croatia, but rarely was the Swiss team’s result less worrisome than Wednesday night in this mandatory exercise called a friendly.
No, urgent questions arise around the health of Swiss players. Xherdan Shaqiri: first positive, then negative, but with antibodies. Manuel Akanji: first negative, then positive. Both in isolation. That of Shaqiri, suddenly with the vague hope of being able to continue playing in Spain and Germany. The other, Akanji, knowing that it is 10 days of isolation. And above all, the agonizing uncertainty: are other Swiss national players or staff members infected with the corona virus?
Nati doctor: “Shaqiri 100% non-contagious”
The Swiss Football Association gave an initial positive response on Thursday afternoon. Written results of corona tests are available. Only Manuel Akanji tested positive. Nati physician Martin Malek says: “Shaqiri’s positive test is due to a previous infection. It is 100 percent sure that it will not be contagious. Therefore, he was able to fully rejoin the team after consulting the health authorities. “
That means: if the Swiss fly into Madrid this afternoon shortly after 5pm, Shaqiri will also be on board. It is not yet clear whether he will actually be allowed to play. For this, UEFA, as the organizer of the Nations League matches, has to give its approval.
The case of Manuel Akanji is different. Dr. Malek de Nati says: “There is very reliable evidence of a new infection. That is why contact tracing and local health authorities are now involved. It takes the normal course of action like any other infection, including isolation. “
Petkovic says: “We hope nothing else happens”
Concerns: yes. No fear. Vladimir Petkovic tries to make the best of the difficult situation of the crown in the Swiss national team.
However: There are days full of uncertainty surrounding the selection. After the match against Croatia, national coach Vladimir Petkovic said: “Unfortunately, this is the situation. We cannot influence them. We have to live from day to day and hope that nothing else happens ”. For now, his hope has been fulfilled.
Unlike the civilian population, the Swiss team can travel to Spain without having to fear the subsequent quarantine. This is because it moves in a “bubble”. Media: Contact with the outside world in the Corona Madrid hotspot is reduced to a minimum. After the flight, the bus takes you directly to the hotel. From there to training on Friday afternoon. Saturday night to the game. And on Sunday I return to the airport with special handling to Cologne, where Switzerland will play Germany on Tuesday.
