Switzerland manager Murat Yakin says sickness bug disrupted Portugal preparations

Switzerland manager Murat Yakin has revealed a sickness bug swept through his squad in the days ahead of their chastening 6-1 defeat by Portugal in the 2022 World Cup round of 16.

Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick, with Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro and Rafael Leao also on the scoresheet as Portugal put Switzerland to the sword in Qatar.

Switzerland were attempting to reach the last eight of a World Cup for the first time since 1954, but Yakin said their preparations had been impacted by a spate of sickness.

Silvan Widmer, Fabian Schar and Nico Elvedi were among those impacted. Switzerland sources insisted none of them had tested positive for COVID-19, however.

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Yakin said: “Unfortunately, Widmer had a cold. Same for Schar. He was out of breath at half-time.

“Elvedi also had a fever. He was not fully ready. Schar wasn’t himself either.”

Widmer and Elvedi did not play any part in the 6-2 defeat while Schar only managed to complete the first half before he was withdrawn.

But Yakin made clear that the absences were not to blame for Switzerland’s loss.

He added: “We must accept this defeat and congratulate Portugal. They were the best team this evening. They surprised us.

“We lost a game today but that doesn’t mean we have to be too pessimistic and criticise everything. The team has shown great team spirit.

“But this defeat hurts. The score and the manner of the loss sadden me.”

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Swiss keeper Yann Sommer said his team had not been mentally strong enough during the match.

“We did not show the mentality we usually bring onto the pitch,” he added. “It’s a very bitter evening. We gave Portugal far too much space. I didn’t look too good either in a few situations.

“This is not the way to survive against such opponents.”

And the former Stoke City and Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri apologised to Swiss fans after the game.

“Today we have to apologise to all Switzerland fans in the name of the team. That was not our true face tonight,” Shaqiri said.

“We’re very disappointed. We were shown our limits tonight. The coach gave us a plan but it did not work out for us. We lost the game already in the first half and were always a step too late.”

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(Photo: Getty Images)