For a long time, nutrition was neglected in the national team. Now they pay meticulous attention to their diet. This is an important reason why they are bursting with energy even after four games, reveals national team director Pierluigi Tami in blue Sport's "Heimspiel bei der Nati".
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- Since last year, a lot of attention has been paid to nutrition in the national team and the staff has been supplemented with two consultants and a chef.
- Through regular tests, the players are given exactly what they need.
- A kebab or a pizza is the most they get as a reward.
After the magnificent victory against Italy, the national team players were given pizza. Or even kebabs. Breel Embolo organized the fast food event for his colleagues. The first kebab in 30 days. Some of the players even had two, as Xhaka revealed with a smile at the last press conference.
It was an exception, a reward. Since last year, meticulous attention has been paid to the nutrition of the national team players. The SFA brought two nutritionists and another chef into the team, all Spaniards. They ensure that the Swiss players eat a balanced and healthy diet. Above all, however, the players' individual needs and physical condition are taken into account.
Every player has to undergo a saliva test in the morning
To make this possible, the footballers have to take a saliva test every morning. "This allows us to see how well the players have recovered and whether they need integrators or hydration," explains national team director Pierluigi Tami in the football talk show "Heimspiel bei der Nati". "This is checked very meticulously today."
So it's not just about eating a healthy and balanced diet, but giving everyone what they need. As a rule, however, you can assume that fast food is not on the menu at the national team camp. Instead, you're more likely to find sweet potatoes, brown rice or quinoa.
Many players are already used to this strict diet plan from their clubs. The SFA was a little behind schedule in this respect. However, due to the change of coach, the association had other matters on its plate that had a higher priority.
When the tanks were empty in Qatar
In the meantime, the strict diet has more than paid off. The Nati players are bursting with energy. It was very different at the last World Cup in Qatar, as Tami reveals: "We noticed that the players were running out of energy." Their tanks were empty in the bitter 6-1 defeat to Portugal in the round of 16.
Not so in Germany. "All the players are healthy, we have no injuries. The legs and heads are working," says Tami. Coach Murat Yakin can also draw on a full squad against England. Will another win mean another kebab? The SFV nutritionists would probably advise against it.
