What was your reaction, as you have seen, such as Granit Xhaka of the own Fans booed and then his shirt off?
I’ve seen it in the summary on the BBC. There was a big issue that he is Captain. I’ve wondered whether his reaction would be less bad if he would be Captain. I don’t think that many of the former Arsenal player to see it so much, that granite is Captain. And that this is the underlying Problem.

he was elected by the Team.
He has always been a natural Leader, even as a very young player.

He wanted to be our Captain?
no, he doesn’t want to be Captain – he is it. He wants to have success with the team. That’s why he takes the lead, so he integrated players, that’s why he’s talking with all of you. He has no fear of contact, to all open, is straight ahead. He has made already as a Young. Clearly he was reluctant, as he came into the first team of FC Basel. But we who are Older have realized that he is on and off the court self-consciously.

How can I see that?
He requires, in many situations the Ball, where he could potentially look bad. Even if the team is not running. This distinguishes him from many other midfield players who then hide behind the opponent.

Xhaka is practically since his first day in the Arsenal of journalists and experts criticized. How does it feel, when you realize as a player:I have no Lobby, the public opinion is negatively affected?
I know from my own experience …

… they were once referred to in their time in Frankfurt from a newspaper as a “Trotter of the year”. And that was not meant as a compliment.
That they know that yet (laughs). Difficult it is when the internal and the external assessment are so extremely different. The with me in Frankfurt, where I had in Team a high Standing in the Public but was not. In the case of granite and now, the same thing. He was elected Captain, the coach relies on him – the media and Fans see him but very critical. To get both on the range, is not easy. And maybe you back off, then hold in the their own filter bubble.

How would you judge his reaction to the whistles, his Gestures, the solid camisole?
It is good, he has asked now for his provocative reaction to the apology. He may be disappointed to react when he is booed. With a shake of the head, maybe even cry. That would be good. But to go on the Offensive …

Is this typical for him?
he is the type. So his brother is Taulant, incidentally, also. Both don’t shy away from conflict be open to discharge. This is also a strength. But in that Moment it was not a good response, the audience with Gestures and calling out. And the bodice of the dress off … Because he offered quite many possibilities of interpretation.

“He must be disappointed to react. With a shake of the head, with wines. That would be good. But to go on the Offensive …”

Four days passed, up to his apology.
you Know, as a player, I would have asked myself: “What, please, should I apologize?” It’s not like that, he would not stand up for Arsenal. He cares for his body, he plays almost every third day. And, of course, that’s his Job, and he earns a lot of money. But your body is no matter how high the account balance is. And if you know that you give everything, and yet, by your own audience booed will, then it is hard to accept. Then something dies in you.

he Can remain in this Situation is actually still at Arsenal?
I would talk with the person in charge. He has received so far reluctant to back cover. But if the club wants to make up with him, then I don’t see why it should not be possible. He has a contract until 2023.

For nearly two years, the former FCB player Benjamin Huggel followed the Swiss national team as a SRF-expert. (Photo: SRF)

But if he will continue to be booed, he can fulfill the hardly?
of Course, it would be hard for him, if he would in the next home game again booed. But you get used to it.

to be 60 000 booed?
humans can adapt to many things. And maybe the pipe also, at some point, because his services are top.

“of Course it would be hard for him, if he would in the next home game again booed. But you get used to it.”

Could it also have to do with his Position in defensive midfield, that Xhaka is so heavily criticized?
Everything, what are you doing in the Central midfield well, as a matter of course. What I was arguing earlier with journalists about it! If granite plays a seemingly simple page change, is not perceived. Even if it looks like maybe only simply because he is so good. He loses the Ball, is it because of his Position on the field most immediately dangerous – and it all falls on. In addition, You will meet in the defensive midfield, mostly on extremely good against players. Creative ones, fast, technically good. You also have to be able to defend.

Just as Xhaka is strong in the criticism. Maybe he’s simply no sixes?
of Course he is. He went in his first season in England, in the two fight a little fast on the ground. He parked in the meantime. Nevertheless, he is perhaps sometimes too much on an all-or-nothing. He defended a risk-taker. But his level is just so high, that we no longer notice what quality he has in his passes. Because it looks so easy. It is no coincidence that he is in any Team is the clear number 1 among the Central Midfielders!

you Have still contact to him?
From time to time. I wrote him that I understand that he is in a difficult Situation. And I adjudicated to him in courage.

third mid – term of the Tamedia football-Podcast

The broadcast is to listen to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or directly here:

Created: 03.11.2019, 12:32 PM

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