Despite having a much greater share of the game, Switzerland did little offensively in the test match against Northern Ireland. Coach Murat Yakin criticizes the precision of the build-up play, but also praises it.
22.03.2025, 00:45
22.03.2025, 07:55
SDA
The statistics at Windsor Park recorded a good 75 percent possession for Switzerland. However, the visitors lost 6:8 in shots on goal, and the Swiss national coach also saw that something was not working. "We were often too imprecise, made too little use of the width of the pitch and were too inconsistent in attack," said Yakin after the first game of the year. The national coach put this down to several factors: the lack of coordination within his own team, the opponent's strong defensive performance and the difficult pitch conditions.
The absences of key players Granit Xhaka and Manuel Akanji as well as the absence of Remo Freuler due to illness led to numerous changes in the Swiss starting eleven. Two debutants, Isaac Schmidt and Stefan Gartenmann, made their debuts in defense. "It was a bit of a nervous start," said Yakin. "But then they both got into the game better." Right-back Schmidt in particular impressed the national team coach. "He was very agile, won almost every duel and also set the tone offensively."
Vincent Sierro, who scored his first goal in his eleventh international match, also earned praise. "Vincent was present right from the start. He understands the game and proves his strategic skill time and again," said Yakin. The Toulouse legionnaire's passes also usually found the desired recipient. Sierro, who has tough competition in the center with the duo of Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler, has recommended himself for further appearances.
Whether he will also be in the starting eleven against Luxembourg, however, remains to be seen. Yakin announced that he would make several changes in Tuesday's second test match. "We want to gather as many impressions as possible in order to be prepared for the World Cup qualifiers in the fall," said the 50-year-old coach, who wants to distribute the playing time.
Alvyn Sanches will probably not get a chance in the starting eleven. The substitute attacking player was injured in Belfast in the closing stages. "He was in a lot of pain, but we don't yet know how serious the injury is," said Yakin. "That would be a very bitter loss, because he immediately underlined his qualities after coming on as a substitute."
