KANSAS CITY, United States, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka believes his side can trouble reigning champion Argentina on Saturday as it bids to reach the World Cup semifinals for the first time.
Switzerland has yet to lose in the tournament, beating Bosnia and Herzegovina and Canada while drawing with Qatar in the group stage before overcoming Algeria and Colombia in the knockout rounds. The quarterfinal will be its first at a World Cup since 1954.
"We're hungry, we need to have the right mentality and I'm convinced we can really trouble Argentina," Xhaka told reporters on Friday.
"After so many years, to be here with Switzerland and play against the reigning world champions makes me proud. But I'm not here just to talk. I want to take the next step."
Xhaka was part of the Switzerland team beaten 1-0 by Argentina in the round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup, when Angel Di Maria scored in the 118th minute.
"This isn't about revenge. It's a completely different match from 2014," the 33-year-old Sunderland player said.
"We're in the quarterfinals now and we want to win. We have a new team and a new generation of players. Football in Switzerland has improved a lot. Tomorrow we will do our best to make it difficult for Argentina."
Head coach Murat Yakin said Switzerland had developed its own plan to contain Lionel Messi, though he insisted stopping the Argentina captain would require a collective effort.
"They run a lot, defend well and have clear principles," Yakin said. "We'll perform as a team. We want to press high and play our own game. We have our solutions."
Switzerland will be without midfielder Johan Manzambi for the match at Kansas City Stadium. The 20-year-old scored three goals and provided two assists in his first four World Cup matches before suffering a knee injury that kept him out of Switzerland's penalty-shootout victory over Colombia in the round of 16.
"We did everything we could to get him ready, but unfortunately he won't be able to play," Yakin said. "He is in a lot of pain. It was a shock because he had momentum on his side and was playing with so much joy. We'll have to do the best we can without him."
Xhaka urged Swiss supporters to believe their team could make history.
"I'm someone who believes dreams can come true," he said. "But you have to give 100 percent and do something different to beat a team like Argentina. I'm convinced this team is ready." ■
