The Nati's winless streak continues in Northern Ireland. Murat Yakin's team had a lot of possession, but was harmless in attack. These are the grades for the debutants' ball (4 players celebrate their national team debut).
Goal
Gregor Kobel
Of course the free kick is superbly taken, of course it hits the corner to his left. But the question is legitimate: Would the BVB keeper not have been able to keep it out if he hadn't taken two steps to the right? Then, in the second half, a great reflex save from a header.
Defense
Isaac Schmidt
International debut, 25 years old, he doesn't get a chance at Leeds United, but he does in the national team. A refreshing performance from the former St Gallen player, courageous and dynamic going forward. At the back with one or two positioning errors.
Defense
Stefan Gartenmann
Still lacking coordination, but that's to be expected after three training sessions. Nervous start. Miscalculated once or twice with long balls, thus also contributing to the goal conceded. Otherwise? The naturalized Dane often offers himself up and usually opts for the simple solution with the ball at his feet. Improved during the game.
Defense
Cédric Zesiger
In the last 8 games in which he has been on the pitch for Wolfsburg, he has not conceded a goal. The start in Northern Ireland is painful for "Zu-Null-Zesi", suffers an elbow in the 4th minute, bleeds and needs stitches at the end of the game. Nevertheless, he holds his own against the hard-fighting Northern Irish. He does not play to zero in the national team.
Defense
Ricardo Rodriguez
With his 126th international appearance, he leaves Shaqiri behind and is the Swiss player with the second most caps. And Rodriguez put in a strong performance: calm and composed at the back, virtually flawless, with the assist for the equalizer up front.
Midfield
Vincent Sierro
The 29-year-old captain of Toulouse plays Xhaka, and he does it well. Calm, composed, his passes, even the long ones, are on target. In the 29th minute, he scores with a superb header from a Rodriguez corner. Then a wonderful back-heel to Schmidt. The best Swiss player.
Midfield
Denis Zakaria
The Monaco captain seems to be looking for his position in the national team midfield even in the absence of Xhaka and Freuler. On the move a lot and rebellious. But unable to put his stamp on the game,
Midfield
Dan Ndoye
The Bologna winger (24) can't really show off his pace, has fewer actions than before. Often makes acquaintance with a Northern Irish elbow.
Midfield
Michel Aebischer
Actually plays in attacking midfield, but often drops very far back. Unusually many mistakes, one or two hair-raising ones. Not his night at Windsor Park, had to come off after an hour.
Midfield
Ruben Vargas
The fleet-footed winger has his problems with the defiant Northern Irish and the pitch. Examples? In the 36th minute, he fumbles the ball and can only prevent the counter-attack with a foul. Yellow. And after a Ndoye pass, he knocks the ball over (57'). Checks out after an hour.
Sturm
Breel Embolo
In his 74th international match, he leads the national team onto the pitch as captain for the first time. You can feel sorry for him, he usually has at least two Northern Irish hunks around him. Hardly sees a ball and when he does, he doesn't really know what to do with it. Has to leave the pitch after just under an hour.
Substitutes
Midfield
Fabian Rieder
Came on for Aebischer in central midfield in the 59th minute. Stands more offensively than the Bologna mercenary with two or three good actions.
Midfield
Joël Monteiro
Comes on for Vargas in the 59th minute. Brings more water displacement and causes the opponent a few problems
Forward
Andi Zeqiri
Comes on for Embolo in the 59th minute. You can see his desire. Wants every ball and if it doesn't come, he complains. Unlucky with his header after wonderful preparatory work by Sanches.
Defense
Lucas Blondel
The Argentinian-Swiss makes his international debut, coming on for Schmidt in the 68th minute. Too short for an assessment.
Midfield
Alvyn Sanches
The Lausanne youngster also makes his international debut, coming on for Ndoye in the 68th minute. Too short for a rating.
Midfield
Djibril Sow
Comes on for Vincent Sierro in the 88th minute. Too short for a rating.
