Granit Xhaka says Switzerland half-time withdrawal was planned after recent ankle lay-off | OneFootball

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has eased fitness fears, saying his half-time withdrawal for Switzerland in the 4-3 defeat to Germany was pre-planned rather than a setback.

According to Sunderland Echo, the 33-year-old said the change had been agreed before kick-off. He recently missed five matches with an ankle injury but has since started Sunderland’s last two games, including Sunday’s 2-1 win at St James’ Park against Newcastle United.

Named in Murat Yakin’s XI for the friendly, Xhaka departed at the interval with the score 2-2 and Switzerland later lost. Some observers felt the side looked less organised without their captain on the pitch.

Yakin had said earlier in the week that he was in close contact with Xhaka, was not worried, and that they would decide together how many minutes he would play.

Asked about any drop-off after he went off, Xhaka said that was for others to judge, described it as a useful test against a high-calibre opponent, and noted Germany’s composure under pressure.

He also rued Switzerland’s sloppiness in possession, saying such errors had not been punished recently but proved costly here. Yakin added that Switzerland had not faced a team like Germany for almost two years, which limited their ability to impose their usual game.

Source: Sunderland Echo