Switzerland boss gives glowing Isaac Schmidt verdict after Leeds United man’s ‘great’ debut

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Switzerland coach Murat Yakin really didn’t need much encouragement as he embarked on a long monologue praising Leeds United’s Isaac Schmidt following his senior international debut against Northern Ireland.

With the likes of Manuel Akanji, Silvan Widmer, Fabian Schar, Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri all not part of the squad for March’s internationals, Yakin embraced the opportunity to test out some of Switzerland’s next generation as they headed to Windsor Park.

Isaac Schmidt, the full-back who joined Leeds United in a £2.5 million deal from St Gallen last summer, was one of six uncapped players included in the 23-man roster.

Well, he’s not uncapped anymore of course.

In a week in which Schmidt responded to his backseat role at Leeds – he believes Daniel Farke has improved him inside Thorp Arch even as opportunities on the Championship turf remain few and far between – the former Lausanne Sport man not only made his senior Switzerland debut, he also made a first ever Switzerland start.

Isaac Schmidt earns Switzerland praise as Leeds United man stars on debut

As such, Schmidt has already earned half the number of starts in a Swiss jersey [one] as he has for Leeds United [two].

And if Yakin was concerned that a lack of regular match action would inhibit his performance, the Basel legend would be pleasantly surprised as Schmidt took a big step towards securing a key place in the manager’s long-term plans.

“With the newly formed team and the young players, I certainly had a positive impression,” Yakin beams. “Isaac made almost no mistakes at right-back.”

“I really liked Isaac! He was skillful, he won all his duels and he was good offensively.”

Interestingly, Yakin had intially been asked about another defensive debutant; Stefan Gartenmann of Hungarian outfit Ferencvaros. His glowing assessment of Schmidt’s performance was as spontaneous as it was passionate.

“It was great to see him. He was courageous, in the right frame of mind. At Leeds, in 2025, he has played very little, if at all, and he managed to make this impact today. It’s pleasing.”

Schmidt still aiming for better after impressing in Northern Ireland

Interestingly, the versatile Isaac Schmidt insists he is equally happy on the right or the left of a back four. He feels, on the right, he is a better crosser of the ball. When positioned on the left, however, he can make better use of his ball-carrying ability.

Schmidt started on the right against Northern Ireland, with the experienced Ricardo Rodriguez on the bench. Despite a very promising start to his international career on a night in which Switzerland fought back to earn a 1-1 draw following an opener from West Brom midfielder Isaac Price, the Elland Road benchwarmer is not getting carried away.

“I can improve. There’s always better to do,” Schmidt says.

“First of all, I was happy to be playing, as if I were on a cloud. But very quickly, I said to myself; ‘No pressure!’ I told myself that I was lucky to be living this moment, to be a starter for the Nati [national team], so I promised myself to live it 100 per cent and give everything.

“It’s football! We’ve been playing it since we were little. So yes, when I say there’s no pressure, you have to understand it a little differently. Yes, there is pressure, it’s the national team, but you have to turn it into good pressure, tell yourself that you have to play football the way you know how, bring your qualities to the table.

“You have to prepare yourself mentally for what’s coming.”