Yakin hails substitutions as Switzerland leave it late to beat Bosnia

[p]The World Cup Group ‌B clash appeared destined to remain deadlocked as Bosnia frustrated [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/switzerland/rHJ2vy1B/"]Switzerland[/a]'s ‌possession-heavy approach before substitute [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/manzambi-johan/pIqmcnKc/"]Manzambi[/a] broke through in the 74th minute, three ‌minutes after entering the game.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/vargas-ruben/U7XUxOei/"]Vargas[/a], also introduced late, added a ‌second before setting up Manzambi's second, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/xhaka-granit/QBHCDKff/"]Granit Xhaka[/a]'s stoppage-time penalty completing the rout after Bosnia had been reduced to 10 men.[/p][p][b]"It was very important that we ‌had all of our energy on the ⁠pitch. This was our strategy," [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/yakin-murat/AyuXqwIS/"]Yakin[/a] ‌told reporters.[/b][/p][p]"We needed to be very patient and stay in the game. It ​was important that after the second hydration break, we changed some things. That was the edge we had. We ​brought on very quick players. Our opponents ran a lot and this created gaps."[/p][image alt="Switzerland - Bosnia & Herzegovina match momentum" id="544f0890-7cbd-47e0-aa04-d67c029eda1a" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="e0ccb629-773a-4301-9ce9-df8d0fb47abc" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][h2]Crucial timing[/h2][p]Yakin said the timing of the substitutions was as ⁠important as the changes ​themselves.[/p][p][b]"We could have made the substitutions earlier, but then the opponent would have had the chance to react," he said. "That's why I waited for the hydration break. This was the right decision today."[/b][/p][p]The Swiss coach ‌revealed he had already told Vargas, one of Switzerland's most dangerous attacking players, that he would have to wait for his opportunity.[/p][p][b]"I told Vargas I would bring him on as soon as the opponents started to get more tired," Yakin said. "We brought him on at the right time. Today it was a tactical decision."[/b][/p][p]Manzambi, 20, justified the move with two goals and another lively display.[/p][p][b]"He is a very happy person with so many football qualities," Yakin said of the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/freiburg/fiEQZ7C7/"]‌Freiburg[/a] player. "He can dribble, score and put a lot of pressure on ​opponents. He can surprise us as much as the opponent."[/b][/p][p]Yakin ‌also credited the hydration breaks themselves, saying they had become a tactical tool.[/p][p][b]"During three minutes we could talk about substitutions and things we needed to change," he said. "We can use elements such as cooling breaks in our favour."[/b][/p][p]The victory moved Switzerland on ⁠to four points and put them ⁠in a strong position ‌heading into their final group match against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/canada/x4toKORL/"]Canada[/a].[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/bosnia-herzegovina-fqe7WYTr/switzerland-rHJ2vy1B/?mid=djmY6NcJ"]Read the match report with Flashscore.[/a][/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /]