A Swiss victory for the mind

Testing the new players was more important than the result, said national team coach Murat Yakin the day before the game against Luxembourg. However, the national coach must have realized that the team could not afford another disappointment after their recent mediocre to weak performances. Not in front of a home crowd, not against the number 92 team in the world rankings.

Contrary to the original announcement, Ricardo Rodriguez was on the pitch after all and even led the team as captain. The Zurich native, who played his 127th international match, was part of the back three that he formed together with Eray Cömert and Stefan Gartenmann. Yakin therefore opted for a change of system and reverted to the 3-4-3 with which he was successful at the European Championship.

Striking Muheim

And the Swiss seemed willing to offer something to the modest (by St. Gallen standards) crowd of 8,363 fans. Miro Muheim in particular was visibly motivated in his second international match on the left flank to show his best side at his old place of work. In the 9th minute, he passed into the middle and found Ruben Vargas, who put the hosts ahead.

Breel Embolo, who had been unlucky in the 1-1 draw in Northern Ireland on Friday, increased the lead to 2-0 just three minutes later. The Monaco striker converted a foul penalty he had taken himself to crown his 75th international appearance. It was even 3-0 after half an hour when Ruben Vargas' shot was slightly deflected by Miro Muheim.

The efficiency with which the Swiss had shone at the beginning was lacking in the following minutes. Dan Ndoye failed to score after a strong solo run, as did Embolo, who finished too nonchalantly after a beautiful pass from Muheim. The eye-catching Muheim also had another good chance one day after his 27th birthday, but missed.

The Luxembourgers were dangerous a few times from set pieces. Yvon Mvogo, who replaced Gregor Kobel between the posts, made a strong save in the 24th minute. However, he had no chance when the visitors scored a consolation goal shortly before the end. Danel Sinani scored with a penalty, which substitute Aurèle Amenda had caused with a shirt tug.

Debut for Hajdari

Otherwise, the intensity had visibly dropped in the second half, which was also due to the many changes. From a Swiss point of view, the substitution of 21-year-old Albian Hajdari, who made his debut for Switzerland, was particularly noteworthy.

The success in the test match may not be important in sporting terms, but it was important for the mental aspect: the national team ended its run of winless matches and regained some self-confidence after the bitter Nations League fall.

The national players can now turn their attention to the end of the season with their clubs before two more test matches in June as part of their trip to the USA. The opponents are Mexico (June 7) and the USA (June 11).

Telegram:

Switzerland - Luxembourg 3:1 (3:0)

St. Gallen. - 8363 spectators. - SR Jorgji (ALB). - Goals: 9. Vargas (Muheim) 1:0. 12. Embolo (penalty) 2:0. 29. Muheim (Vargas) 3:0. 89. Sinani (penalty) 3:1.

Switzerland: Mvogo; Cömert, Gartenmann (46. Zakaria), Rodriguez (46. Hajdari); Blondel (66. Schmidt), Sierro (46. Aebischer), Sow, Muheim; Ndoye (66. Rieder), Embolo, Vargas (82. Amenda).

Luxembourg: Moris (46. Pereira); Jans (46. Bohnert), Mahmutovic, Korac; Marvin Martins, Barrerio, Christopher Martins, Thill (59. Curci); Sinani, Moreira (46. Rodrigues/75. Olesen); Madjo (59. Borges Sanches).

Remarks: Switzerland without Freuler (sick), Amdouni, Sanches, Sohm and Zeqiri (all injured), Akanji, Elvedi and Xhaka (all not in the squad), among others. Cautions: 63rd Sinani. 88th Amenda. 89th Olesen. 90th Cömert.