EURO friendly report card: Switzerland
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Article summary
Two defeats without scoring mean Switzerland have gone 232 minutes without a goal and coach Vladimir Petković has plenty to ponder before the summer.
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Results
Friday: Republic of Ireland 1-0 Switzerland (Clark 2)
Sommer; Lang (Widmer 82), Schar, Klose, Rodriguez (Moubandje 77); Dzemaili (Tarashaj 71), Xhaka, Behrami (Fernandes 71); Embolo, Seferovic (Steffan 61), Mehmedi (Kasami 71)
A rare goal from defender Ciaran Clark gave Ireland victory against their fellow finalists in front of 35,450 fans at the Dublin Arena, though the win was overshadowed by a first-half injury to striker Kevin Doyle, taken to hospital for treatment. Robbie Brady's second-minute corner was flicked on to Clark by fellow defender Shane Duffy and headed beyond the reach of Yann Sommer. Haris Seferovic and Granit Zhaka forced saves from Darren Randolph but he claimed a clean sheet on a night when Shane Long and Duffy impressed for Ireland.
Tuesday: Switzerland 0-2 Bosnia and Herzegovina (Džeko 14, Pjanić 57)
Sommer; Lichtsteiner (Lang 65), Schär (Klose 46), Senderos, Rodríguez (Moubandjé 66); Fernandes (Zuffi 46), Xhaka, Kasami (Tarashaj 72); Steffen, Seferović, Mehmedi (Embolo 46)
Switzerland's wait for a first victory in Zurich since 2007 continued as, deprived of playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri, their attacking imagination was limited and their build-up often too static. Bosnia and Herzegovina deservedly went ahead inside 15 minutes through Edin Džeko and although Vladimir Petković's team showed signs of improvement after the interval, a superb Miralem Pjanić free-kick gave the guests a 2-0 advantage which they would not surrender.
What we learned
1) Switzerland are well short of the kind of form they will need this summer. Vladimir Petković's side have not scored for 232 minutes.
2) Changing tempo and turning defence into attack are aspects that need plenty of fine-tuning before the EURO.
3) Schemer-in-chief Shaqiri was sorely missed. Much will depend on his form and fitness come the finals in France.
Questions remain
▪ Why does the team struggle so much after going behind? They showed great resolve during qualifying.
▪ "Unfortunately there aren't many players currently in form," said Petković after both friendlies. Is there enough time before June?
▪ Gökhan Inler was not called up, as he has been largely overlooked by Leicester City this term. Can Switzerland manage without his experience?
Room for improvement
In 17 matches under Petković, Switzerland have already suffered six defeats. Admittedly there has been a lot of experimentation, but self-belief could now become an issue going into the EURO. The players will have to show plenty of determination from the moment they meet for their pre-tournament training camp.
EURO certainties (if fit)
Goalkeepers: Yann Sommer (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Roman Bürki (Borussia Dortmund), Marwin Hitz (Augsburg)
Defenders: Johan Djourou (Hamburg), Timm Klose (Norwich City), Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus), Ricardo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg), Michael Lang (Basel), Jacques Moubandje (Toulouse), Fabian Schär (TSG Hoffenheim)
Midfielders: Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke City), Granit Xhaka (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Valon Behrami (Watford), Renato Steffen (Basel), Luca Zuffi (Basel), Pajtim Kasami (Olympiacos)
Forwards: Josip Drmic (Hamburg), Breel Embolo (Basel), Admir Mehmedi (Bayer Leverkusen), Haris Seferovic (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Media view
Eva Tedesco & Alexandra Stäuble (20 Minuten)
"The March friendlies have brought to light the national team's weak form – only three players impressed. Petković's record in friendlies is not too pretty and the coach is none the wiser when it comes to his defence. The centre-backs remain the biggest problem going into the EURO."