Key player missing for the Swiss ahead of Colombia clash

It‘s been 72 years since Switzerland last managed to get into the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Tonight they have their opportunity to repeat history, but will have a tough task. Switzerland are playing against a tough opponent and without their best player at the tournament. Colombia are yet to be defeated as they managed three wins and a draw against Portugal. According to Blick, Johan Manzambi suffered a knee injury during the very final session of pre-match training without any contact from a teammate. As a result, the SC Freiburg midfielder will definitely miss the game, the Swiss outlet reports. Apart from him, Ruben Vargas and Djibril Sow are also doubtful after both players were forced to end the session early due to injuries, but Manzabmi is definitely a bigger problem for coach Murat Yakin. So far, the Freiburg midfielder has been Switzerland‘s best player, with three goals and two assists in four appearances so Yakin will have to somehow soften the blow created by his absence.

TACTICAL ANALYSIS: Algeria's Positional Brilliance Undone by Swiss Efficiency

Switzerland coach also knows that Colombia will have much larger following than his own team in Vancouver.

“We know the situation, it will be packed with Colombian fans. But people are used to this. We need to be at our best, with full energy. There will also be many Swiss fans in the stadium. We are a strong team – we want to beat them on the pitch, not with the fans" he said.

BETTING GUIDE: Argentina vs Egypt, Switzerland vs Egypt, World Cup prediction

Colombia has injury scare for Jhon Cordoba, the center-forward who has picked up a hamstring problem, but everybody else are good to go. Luis Diaz from Bayern Munich is still in his club form. As a member of the Bavarians, Diaz registered an astonishing 15 goals and 14 assists in the league, to go with a further 10 goals and six assists across the UEFA Champions League and DFB Cup. So far, he had one goal and one assist in this World Cup, but offside flags and hitting the woodwork have also prevented him from scoring more.

"I had the privilege of watching him play for a year at Bayern. He's an exceptional player and has had a fantastic year. He's certainly a key player for Colombia, and we'll try to keep him under control" said Borussia‘s Nico Elvedi.

WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Round of 16

Tuesday

USA - Belgium 1-4 (1-2)

/Tillman 31 - De Ketelaere 9, 33, Vanaken 57, Lukaku 90+3/

19.00: (1.37) Argentina (4.70) Egypt (9.00)

23.00: (3.40) Switzerland (3.25) Colombia (2.30)

***odds are subject to change**