Murat Yakin, 51, held nothing back at the press conference. Switzerland’s coach, who has just eliminated Colombia on penalties after a scoreless 0-0 draw, looked his next opponent straight in the eye and delivered the line already making the rounds on social media: “It was clear that Argentina is not invincible”.
He did not stop there. He added that facing the world champions is “a unique opportunity” and promised to fight on equal terms on Saturday, July 11 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Big words for a team that reached the quarterfinals after 72 years.
But inside the Swiss locker room, not everyone thinks the same way. Ricardo Rodríguez, a defender with a Chilean mother, struck a more measured tone and was direct: he called Argentina “a great team” and described Messi simply as “the best”. Two versions of the same team, hours away from facing La Scaloneta. Confidence or disrespect?