Switzerland faces Algeria in World Cup knockout with former coach Petkovic in opposite dugout
Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic, who guided Switzerland from 2014 to 2021, faces his former team on Thursday in a World Cup round-of-32 match in Vancouver, with Switzerland’s Murat Yakin looking to continue his unbeaten record against his one-time mentor.
Petkovic's Swiss journey
Vladimir Petkovic's ties to Swiss football run deep. He joined club Chur 97 in 1987, played and coached domestically, then took the national team to the 2018 World Cup last 16 and the Euro 2020 quarterfinal, Switzerland's best major tournament run. After leaving in 2021, he now aims to deny his former side a place in the next round.
- Joins Swiss club Chur 97 as a player.
- Appointed head coach of the Swiss national team.
- Leads Switzerland to the World Cup last 16 in Russia.
- Guides Switzerland to the European Championship quarter-finals — a first for the nation.
- Leaves the Switzerland job after seven years.
- Coaches Algeria against Switzerland in the World Cup round of 32 in Vancouver.
A reunion without secrets
The Bosnia-born Petkovic, who holds Swiss citizenship and whose family still lives in Ticino, dismissed the idea that his intimate knowledge of Swiss players gives Algeria an edge. Swiss forward Breel Embolo, who debuted under Petkovic in 2015, agreed that familiarity cuts both ways: "He knows a lot of players, but nothing's going to change on my front."
The world of football has become universal, everyone knows each other. There are no real secrets left in the game. I don't think it's a huge advantage to know someone or someone else. Just as I know the players, the players know me. And it's a huge pleasure to come up against them.
A coaching lineage
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin revealed he once interned under Petkovic at Young Boys while earning his coaching license. In five Swiss Super League clashes, Yakin never lost to Petkovic (two wins, three draws). Embolo noted both coaches share a drive to write history, but he added with a laugh that "they look different" when asked about their biggest contrast.
I did an internship with him when I was getting my coaching license and he was coaching Young Boys. I appreciate his way of working, the freedom he gives players.
The road to Vancouver
Algeria reached its second World Cup knockout stage after a dramatic group phase: a 3-0 loss to Argentina, a win over Jordan, and a 3-3 draw with Austria in which they led in stoppage time before conceding an equalizer. Switzerland, in the knockout stage for a fourth consecutive World Cup, advanced with a 2-1 victory over Canada in their final group game.
Team news and battle plans
Switzerland could be without right-back Luca Jaquez, who missed training on Tuesday; Denis Zakaria or Silvan Widmer are candidates to start. Embolo warned that his Algerian opponents are "technically refined" and "can count on a new generation of players performing well in Germany and France." Both sides prepared for penalties: Yakin organized a shootout workshop, while Embolo admitted practice cannot replicate the pressure.
The new generation of Algerian players perform very well in Germany and France. We have enormous respect for them, but with our strengths we can hurt them.
