Switzerland wins thanks to a free kick goal from Xherdan Shaqiri. A player who does not yet have a Swiss passport could become an issue for the European Championships.
Xherdan Shaqiri’s free kick for the winning goal.
Imago / Niall Carson
The next time the Swiss national team will meet, preparations for the European Championships in Germany will already begin. And judging by the impressions of the last few days, it is a question of perspective whether it is good or not so good news that it will take another two months until then.
On Tuesday evening, Switzerland won the friendly in Ireland 1-0. It was the first win in a year against an opponent not called Andorra. And because the national team had kept a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw in Denmark three days earlier, Murat Yakin’s analysis is understandable. “We played to zero twice,” said the national coach, “and that shows that the players implemented our plan well defensively.” That’s how you can see it, and maybe you even have to see it that way if you’re a national coach whose main concern is to appear with more stability and solidity again after some disastrous performances last year.
The truth is, however, that the Swiss hardly created any serious chances to score in the two matches in Copenhagen and Dublin. One can doubt the value of test matches for good reasons, and yet the offensive harmlessness of the national team does not create anticipation or even enthusiasm with regard to the European Championship.
Of all people – or depending on your perspective: of course – Xherdan Shaqiri at least ensured with a converted free kick against Ireland that Yakin and the national team can view the last few days as a successful rehabilitation after disappointing months. Shaqiri was recently in the headlines because there were increasing signs that he was no longer undisputed in Yakin’s plans. Late on Tuesday evening, Shaqiri said in his casual manner that it had always been clearly agreed that he would not be in the starting line-up in Denmark. “Many things are said and written that are not true. Our strategy has always been clear.”
At 32, Shaqiri is experienced enough not to cause more unrest with controversial statements. Even Yakin will have realized that he cannot do without Shaqiri even if he is not in top shape. He only recently started the season in the USA, said Shaqiri. “And before that I had an eight-week vacation.” It is disarmingly honest and perhaps a little naive to say so. But Shaqiri will always be a rascal, with a mischievous smile and mischief that characterizes him on and off the pitch.
Vincent Sierro with a strong debut in the national team
The Swiss again lined up with a three-man defense against very modest Irish teams. But after playing in a variable 3-5-2 system in Denmark, their formation in Ireland resembled a 3-4-2-1 – with Shaqiri as a centre-forward, or “false nine” as it is known in peculiar jargon. And as Shaqiri himself called it.
It was a fairly inconsequential, very boring encounter in Dublin. Coach Yakin made seven changes to his lineup compared to the Denmark game and was remarkably clear afterwards. Yakin said he was disappointed with the performances of some footballers.
For example, he probably meant the pale Zeki Amdouni in attack, probably also Michel Aebischer, but certainly not Vincent Sierro, who proved in his debut at the age of 28 that he can be an alternative in midfield. The Toulouse captain impressed alongside Granit Xhaka with his self-confidence, robustness and pass security – and then was modest. He knows his role and knows exactly that he has to continue to work hard to be part of the European Championship squad in the summer.
But Vincent Sierro could even be one of those players who will benefit from Murat Yakin adding the word “momentum” to his linguistic repertoire this year. Sierro was much more noticeable in Ireland than Remo Freuler and Denis Zakaria in Denmark. Like defender Fabian Schär and Dan Ndoye, who impressed twice on the left, he is one of the winners of the last few days. The same cannot be said for several offensive players who remained weak, such as Amdouni and Noah Okafor. Murat Yakin seemed pretty perplexed when he talked about the Swiss having to improve significantly in attack. “We are looking for solutions,” he said.
This includes the fact that the momentum could promote a player like Joël Monteiro from YB to the national team until the European Championship. The Swiss Football Association is confident that Sion-born Monteiro will soon have a Swiss passport. The cantonal naturalization process in Valais has been completed, the ball is now in the federal government’s court. The 24-year-old Young Boys offensive player currently only has a Portuguese passport.
Waiting for Embolo, the best Swiss striker
Yakin has already spoken positively about Monteiro several times, including on Tuesday evening in Dublin, although until a few months ago he had a reputation among the Young Boys for being extremely poor in finishing. The CIES Football Observatory recently published this season’s most efficient players from the top 74 leagues. In first place, ahead of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham: Joël Monteiro, with an outstanding goal rate of almost 31 percent. With eight goals this season, Monteiro is more dangerous than all current Swiss national players, none of whom have scored more than five goals.
Best conversion rate per 90′ (@wyscout), players with >0.5 goals per match in 7⃣4⃣ leagues 🌐
🥇 #JoelMonteiro 🇨🇭 (#YoungBoys)
🥈 #JudeBellingham 🏴 (#RealMadrid)
🥉 #HeeChanHwang 🇰🇷 (#Wolves)
More ⚽️ stats on @CIES_Football website 👉 pic.twitter.com/pY2Q1SMyV9— CIES Football Obs (@CIES_Football) March 18, 2024
However, there is something desperate about a player like Monteiro without an international match (and without a Swiss passport) suddenly having to be seen as a beacon of hope for the Swiss offensive. “We currently lack the clout, so we are keeping all options open,” said Yakin.
The best option would undoubtedly be Breel Embolo, who should soon make his comeback for Monaco after a torn cruciate ligament. However, Embolo will hardly be in top condition at the European Championships. Yakin knows that, but he pointed out that the striker knows his body well and has already proven that he can get back into shape relatively quickly after serious injuries.
Murat Yakin will also have to reach European Championship form by June. In recent days, his statements have not always seemed convincing. “We will work primarily in the offensive area in the training camp before the European Championships,” said Yakin. Maybe it would help to finally develop some ideas for standard situations. Xherdan Shaqiri will not be able to convert every free kick at the European Championships.