July 7th 2024.
Manuel Akanji, the Swiss defender, was the only player who couldn't score his penalty during the shootout against England in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. In an emotional statement, Akanji expressed his disappointment and felt like he had let his country down. Switzerland was on the verge of knocking out England from the tournament after Breel Embolo's late goal, but Bukayo Saka equalized quickly, forcing the match into extra time and eventually a penalty shootout.
Akanji was the first to take the penalty for Switzerland, but his shot was saved by Jordan Pickford, who was the hero for England. This turned out to be the only miss in the shootout, with England winning 5-3 and advancing to the semi-finals where they will face the Netherlands on Wednesday night. It was a heartbreaking moment for the Swiss, who were so close to reaching the last four for the first time in their history.
The 28-year-old Akanji was consoled by his captain Granit Xhaka and some of his Manchester City teammates, including Phil Foden, John Stones, Kyle Walker, and Cole Palmer. In an interview with the Mirror, Akanji admitted his disappointment and apologized for letting his team and country down.
Meanwhile, Switzerland's manager Murat Yakin defended Akanji and praised him for volunteering to take the first penalty in the shootout. Yakin mentioned that he gives responsibility to his players and can't be angry at them afterwards. He also highlighted Akanji's fantastic performance throughout the tournament, especially against Italy and Germany.
Yakin also revealed that Pickford's water bottle correctly predicted Akanji's penalty direction, showing the level of preparation and analysis that goes into these high-pressure moments. Despite the sadness and emptiness felt by the team, Yakin acknowledged that these are part of the business and Akanji shouldn't be too hard on himself.
In the end, Akanji played an important role in Switzerland's journey in Euro 2024, helping them beat defending champions Italy and nearly causing an upset against Germany. His missed penalty may have been a turning point in the match, but it doesn't diminish his overall contribution to the team. As Yakin said, these moments are part of the game, and Akanji should be proud of his performance and leadership on the field.
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