Arsenal’s Lia Walti backs compatriot Xhaka to shine in Switzerland’s Euros knockout battle with England
LIA WALTI is backing Granit Xhaka to continue shining for Switzerland when they battle England for a Euros semi-final spot today.
And the Arsenal midfielder is relishing the chance to fulfil her dream of playing in a Women’s Euros on home soil, with Switzerland hosting the contest next year.
Walti, 31, who has been monitoring her compatriots’ progress in the men’s tournament in Germany, sees Murat Yakin’s side are one of the contest’s dark horses.
And she believes the influence of Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Xhaka, 31, and Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji, 28, will be key to Switzerland’s chances.
The duo have flourished at the Euros with their team picking up two wins and two draws on their way to a last eight duel with England in Dusseldorf.
A win against Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions would see their side reach the contest’s last-four stage for the first time in their history.
The Switzerland Women’s skipper, who has 119 senior international caps, said: “Granit Xhaka and Manuel Akanji have had big, big seasons with their clubs on an individual and team level.
“They’re two leaders who help carry the team and a lot depends on their performance if the system continues to be successful.
“Tournament football can be full of surprises and anything can happen.
“Switzerland have shown a lot in the past they can beat the big teams.
“It’s all a matter of performing on the day. You can be prepared for the game, but you don’t know what’s going to happen.
“You just have to believe and build something with your own team and believe you’re going to be lucky enough that you have the better day.”
Switzerland’s Euros knockout clash with England comes three months after ex-Arsenal star Xhaka helped his current club Bayer Leverkusen storm their way a title win in Germany’s top-flight.
The team, managed by Xabi Alonso, went unbeaten with 28 wins and six draws
In April they were crowned Bundesliga champions for the first time in the club’s history.
Walti added: “When Xhaka was at Arsenal we spoke quite a lot.
“I really appreciate him because if you go through so many up and downs as he did, and you fight your way back when there is so much pressure, then you deserve respect.
“He’s a great guy and a leader and a role model on the pitch.
“He’s leading Switzerland in the best possible way to help the team to be successful.”
During this year’s tournament Walti, teamed with vegan food firm Beyond Meat to help launch their new jalapeno burger.
The WSL star is supportive of Uefa’s push to have one hundred per cent plant-based foods available at all stadiums at this year’s Euros.
And the Arsenal ace teamed up with vegan food influencer Alfie Steiner to come up with a Jalapeno Crunch Burger recipe.
Walti, who joined Arsenal six years ago from German side Turbine Potsdam, added: “When food companies try to make alternative as close as possible to meat, it’s not always great.
“But I think we created a really cool recipe and I actually loved it. It had a bit of a spicy kick.
“For a couple of years I’ve been trying to reduce eating meat and eating fish just because I think it’s the right thing to do.
“I’m part of a campaign called Football for Future and I’m proud to support innovative things like this where I can eat less meat to help the planet.
“When I was a kid going to matches including (games at) the Euros and watching games at stadiums, we always ate a burger at half time during the games or before the games.”
Next summer will see Walti’s home country host a Women’s Euros for the first time in their history.
Reigning champions England are among the teams battling for an automatic qualification spot.
The Lionesses will take on the Republic of Ireland and Sweden this month in their next round of qualifiers for next summer’s Euros.
Matches in the 16-team tournament will be held in eight venues in eight cities across the country.
In February this year, the Federal Council of Switzerland’s announcement that it planned to cut tournament funding after initially pledging 15 million Swiss Francs, was met with criticism.
However that decision went on to be reversed in May following a vote within the Swiss Assembly.
Walti hopes that the tournament can be catalyst for growing the women’s domestic game in her country and pushing women’s and girls’ football in the right direction.
The midfielder adds: “There aren’t many players who get to experience a home tournament during their careers.
“It’s something really, really special. This is something you dream about as a player
“If somebody told me, four or five years ago (Switzerland would be hosting the tournament), I wouldn’t have believed it.
“We’re a little bit behind in Switzerland with women’s football. If you look around Europe and see how many professional leagues now.
“I do hope the tournament is going to give a big boom for young girls who want to play football.
“We need more girls who are going to give us competition when we’re older to have to make a choice on who is going to be in the national team.
“We don’t have professional league at the moment (in Switzerland).
“We do have some clubs who pay players part-time salaries, but it’s really not good enough at the minute.
“I hope that women’s football is going to be more visible (after the tournament).
“We want to help the girls to have the same opportunity as the boys and men as well.”