It is a question of perspective as to how one would like to evaluate the Swiss performance in the 0-0 draw in the friendly in Denmark. In the new system, the national team likes defense – but the harmlessness in attack is remarkable.
The Swiss national team tested a new system against Denmark: Manuel Akanji (right) and Fabian Schär (center) stabilized themselves in it.
Peter Klaunzer / Keystone
Test international matches – do you really need them? This question came up again on Saturday evening in the 0-0 draw between Denmark and Switzerland in the cold Parkenstadion in Copenhagen. The players are currently going through an intense phase with their clubs and their main goal is not to get injured.
For national coaches, such games offer the opportunity to carry out experiments and even start small tactical revolutions. Murat Yakin tried that. The Swiss coach presented a 3-5-2 system in Copenhagen, which could be the basic formation at the European Championships in the summer.
After the 0-0 draw, the assessment of Yakin’s interesting considerations is ambivalent. The Swiss were solid and solidarity, they defied the 2021 European Championship semi-finalists and were able to stop the negative trend. But in the last eight games they have won just once, 3-0 against football dwarf Andorra – with Denmark being their first opponent of a higher European level during that time.
The scolded Schär and Akanji stabilize
It is therefore positive to note that the Swiss defended in a disciplined and attentive manner. Manuel Akanji and Fabian Schär, who often impress in the Premier League, have proven that they can work well together defensively.
Schär impressed with his precise passes to initiate the attack and was pleased with the development of the last few days after the game. Two weeks ago he received a visit from Yakin in Newcastle and was informed that he might not have a place in the starting line-up.
Murat Yakin has decided to play his role as a risk-taking coach without any inhibitions. This also includes the daring decision to use Dan Ndoye as a left winger. This deserves recognition because Ndoye can create dangerous actions with his speed. But here too the verdict is a question of perspective – Ndoye made many (positional) errors on defense.
Yakin and Xhaka let personal sensitivities go
Yakin, unsurprisingly, analyzed the draw positively because the Swiss managed to give their strong opponents only a few chances. Granit Xhaka also highlighted the positive aspects: they had the game under control for long stretches.
The coach and his captain seem to have agreed to leave personal sensitivities aside during the European Championship year. Whether this will work remains to be seen. Xhaka was nowhere near as dominant in Denmark as he has often been at Bayer Leverkusen this season, but he performed calmly in his favorite position as a defensive midfielder – and remained uninjured.
This did not apply to goalie Yann Sommer, who injured his right foot, had to be substituted and traveled back to his club Inter Milan on Sunday for medical checks. Because Gregor Kobel was also missing, Yvon Mvogo was able to show in Denmark that he is also a reliable goalkeeper. The finding is not new: Switzerland is one of the best nations in Europe when it comes to goalies.
The Swiss attack remains a construction site
However, the national team still needs to develop a few ideas to become more effective offensively. It is theoretically possible to reach the European Championship round of 16 with three 0-0 draws; but it would be unwise to rely too heavily on this possibility.
In Denmark, striker Noah Okafor remained pale. Ruben Vargas, who acted as a supplier, was hard-working but just as harmless. Substitute Zeki Amdouni also does not have exceptional power or robustness. It should be mentioned that the Swiss played in this system for the first time.
The automatism on offense was still missing. So there are two insights that remain that this test international game didn’t necessarily need: Switzerland is eagerly waiting for the strong attacker Breel Embolo, who is soon to make his comeback for Monaco after a torn cruciate ligament – and they can’t wait for Xherdan Shaqiri and his class, creativity and goal threat waive.
Shaqiri only came on in the final minutes of his 120th international match. He successfully avoided showing any understanding for this decision. He said that coaches were allowed to experiment in test matches. But: “At some point you will have to analyze what was good and what wasn’t.” The good – or, depending on your perspective, not so good – news is that the Swiss still have three test matches before the European Championships. The next one is on Tuesday in Ireland.
Xherdan Shaqiri had little understanding for the coach’s decision to only substitute him in the final quarter of an hour.
Imago