Breel Embolo eyes FIFA World Cup history as Switzerland prepare for Algeria test

Algeria are led by former Switzerland boss Vladimir Petkovic, who spent seven years in charge of the Swiss national team between 2014 and 2021.

During that time, he oversaw one of the country's most successful periods, coaching many of the current squad, including captain Granit Xhaka and striker Breel Embolo.

Despite Petkovic's intimate knowledge of the Swiss setup, Embolo believes the occasion will ultimately be decided on the pitch rather than in the dugout.

"I look different now than I did six years ago, there's a big difference," Embolo joked ahead of the match.

"Both teams want to win, we want to write history. Petkovic really raised the bar with the Swiss team. Now we want to go even further. We have a new coach now, and it's always difficult as a player to compare coaches.

"One thing they have in common is that they both want to write history. If it's going to be an advantage, at the end of the day, it's still football."

Current Switzerland coach Murat Yakin is also no stranger to Petkovic, having faced him several times while both were managing in the Swiss league.

"Every time we met, it was very special. It was always a tactical battle, and I expect the same tomorrow. But this is a World Cup knockout match, and the players will decide who has the better tactical approach," said Yakin.

Yakin also dismissed suggestions that Switzerland should be considered favourites, warning that Algeria possess the technical quality and intensity to punish any mistakes.

"This is going to be an open match. We'll try to impose our football from the beginning and do everything we can to win," he added.  

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