Servettian Derek Kutesa and Vincent Sierro are the two neophytes on the list of 26 players revealed by Murat Yakin for the two friendly matches against Denmark in Copenhagen on March 23 and Eire in Dublin three days later. This last list before the Euro in June produced winners and losers.
Confirmed in his position last December after a very gloomy autumn despite qualifying for this Euro, Murat Yakin has already made some significant choices. The Euro is therefore no longer an impossible dream for Kutesa and Sierro, but also for Kevin Mbabu and Becir Omerargic, who return to the selection after a long sideline.
On the other hand, he moved away for Jordan Lotomba, Djibril Sow, Ardon Jashari, Cédric Itten and Andi Zeqiri. Their absence from this list sounds like a disavowal for these five men. And as a sign that the train to Germany will leave without them.
Waiting for Embolo and… Monteiro
“The principle of performance, momentum and the ability to integrate into a collective guide my choices,” recalls Murat Yakin, who however intends to keep the game open. For Breel Embolo, injured since last summer and who should finally play again in April. In the eyes of the coach, the Swiss team cannot do without the services of the Monegasque.
He also keeps an eye on Joël Monteiro. The Young Boys player should receive his Swiss passport in the coming weeks and Murat Yakin really likes his profile.
Since the start of the year, Murat Yakin has traveled a lot to meet his players. “In Bologna, Milan, London, Monaco, Leverkusen and Dortmund,” he breathes. He notably spoke at length with Fabian Schär on Monday in London to define his role within the selection. Brilliant with Newcastle, the Saint-Gallois, on the other hand, has appeared in difficulty with the Swiss team recently.
At La Manga where the team will meet on Monday, he should also speak with Xherdan Shaqiri. The weight of his years and his exile in MLS in a team that does not really shine may call into question his status as a starter. The question is how Schär and Shaqiri will agree to play understudies.
No new contract before the Euro
Finally, on the two hot topics of the moment, the threats made on the social networks of his captain Granit Xhaka after a controversy sparked by the status of his brother Taulant at FC Basel and the possible extension of his contract, Murat Yakin held two different postures. On the first, he kicked in while recalling that life had also ordered him to sometimes defend his brother. At the ASF, we certainly cannot hide a certain relief at seeing this affair not arise in the middle of a gathering.
On the second, however, he shied away a little less. “My contract will not be extended before the Euro, he said. We will discuss after the tournament. I feel that I share with the ASF the desire to extend the adventure. But we will have time to discuss it this summer.”
Without saying it openly, the Basel resident implies that he is subject to an obligation of results. He will be asked to absolutely cross the first round threshold which will, it should be remembered, only leave eight of the thirty-two teams behind. “I have the confidence of the players. I have the confidence of my managers. I approach this Euro with great serenity.”
A serenity that he was very far from displaying last November during the national team’s two matches against Kosovo and Romania…
The Swiss selection for friendly matches
Programme: match against Denmark on March 23 in Copenhagen then Ireland on March 26 in Dublin.
Guardians: Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund), Yvon Mvogo (Lorient), Yann Sommer (Inter Milan).
Defenders: Manuel Akanji (Manchester City), Eray Cömert (Nantes), Nico Elvedi (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ulisses Garcia (Marseille), Kevin Mbabu (Augsburg), Becir Omeragic (Montpellier), Ricardo Rodriguez (Torino), Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) , Silvan Widmer (Mayence), Cédric Zesiger (Wolfsburg).
Running backs and forwards: Michel Aebischer (Bologna), Zeki Amdouni (Burnley), Uran Bismili (Lugano), Remo Freuler (Bologna), Derek Kutesa (Servette), Dan Ndoye (Bologna), Noah Okafor (AC Milan), Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire). Vincent Sierro (Toulouse), Renato Steffen (Lugano), Ruben Vargas (Augsburg), Granit Xhaka (Bayern Leverkusen), Denis Zakaria (Monaco).