Canada at the World Cup: The national team absolutely has to have these three stars under control

Victory, defeat or draw decide the further course of the game Nati at the Football World Cup. With a win against Canada on Wednesday, Switzerland would be given an eight-day break and would not play again until July 2nd. “I like it more when you can keep the rhythm – that means that we can actually get back into action quickly after the Canada game,” says Akanji the day before the game in Vancouver. “But as an athlete you want to win, and in our case that means winning the group, which would mean a break of eight days.”

For this to happen, Akanji and Co. have to play in front of a sold-out crowd in Canada Vancouver Stadium (55,000 spectators). The national team is the favorite, but the co-host still has the potential to be a stumbling block. Which stars the national team has to pay attention to and who is the master builder of Canadian football – an overview.

Jesse March

American Jesse Marsch, who previously coached RB Leipzig and Leeds United, has been Canada’s coach for two years. He introduced the running-intensive pressing game – RB football – to the North Americans. «My coaching team came here two years ago with a clear plan: Movement. We want to make a difference in Canada and make football bigger. “Compared to European countries, the sport is not popular here,” says the master builder before the duel with Switzerland.

For him and his team it is about more than “just” winning the group and the World Cup. “I think we have done our job well so far – football is becoming more attractive.” They have now even reached the point where they believe they can annoy the big names in the football circus – nations like Switzerland. Marsch had already drawn up a plan the day after the draw, as he revealed before the duel. “We have been preparing for this game since the first day after the draw. The respect for Switzerland – and tactician Yakin – is great. But we are well prepared.”

Jonathan David

The Juventus striker is Canada’s greatest offensive weapon. At Juventus he only scored six goals after his €45 million move in the summer, but that’s a different system. “We play differently than with the national team,” says David before the game against the national team. He feels right at home in Canada’s team, as evidenced by his three goals in the game against Qatar. David impresses with his strong physique and speed, and is straightforward and efficient in the box. The 26-year-old’s technical skills are also impressive.

Alphonso Davies

“He is our best player, there are no two opinions,” says Canada coach Jesse Marsch before the duel for group victory when he talks about Alphonso Davies. The captain and star player of FC Bayern Munich is the face of Canadian football. Hardly any other player combines speed, dribbling strength and dynamism like the left-back, who can also cause danger as a wing. It is not yet clear whether he will get a chance. Davies was injured for several weeks. “He’s been training all week now. A game against Switzerland is possible,” says Marsch about his star.

Taion Buchanan

Buchanan is one of the most spectacular players in the Canadian squad. He went to Villarreal via Inter Milan and became a regular player there. Buchanan is extremely fast, likes to look for one-on-one situations and repeatedly creates outnumbered situations with his advances. Akanji and Co. need to keep an eye on Buchanan because of his dangerous flanks and unpredictability.

Ismaël Koné (injured)

Against Bosnia, the “Canadian” Xhaka” circled in midfield, and then he was badly injured against Qatar. The fact that he is now out against Switzerland, of all places, is particularly bitter for the Canadians. The dynamic midfielder is considered the heart of Jesse Marsch’s intensive transition game. With his athleticism, pace and ability to bridge spaces, Koné was considered one of the most important players in Marsch’s team. A chance for the national team?