Football

The dark horse of the tournament who can play as one team! The Swiss nomination is full of experienced players. Coach Yakin is under pressure especially in goal

They may well become the dark horse of the tournament, which will surprise many. Coach Yakin is bringing experienced players who can play as a team to the European Championship in Germany. The biggest competition can be seen in goal.

Published

6 months ago

10. 6. 2024

Michal Sedláček

Xherdan Shaqiri, svycarsko — Zdroj: Depositphotos

The quarter-finalist from the last Euro is looking for his sixth participation in the continental championship. The team led by Murat Yakin is largely made up of compatriots. Only midfielder Ardon Jashari from Lucerne and striker Renato Steffen (Lugano) wear the home jersey.

The coach with Turkish roots literally has a luxury selection for the goalkeeper position. Yakin is likely to appoint thirty-five-year-old Yann Sommer, a Serie A champion with Inter, as number one. Gregor Kobel, a Champions League finalist with Dortmund, or Yvon Mvogo of Lorient will surely also be asking for space.

The team leaders have had impressive seasons. Captain Granit Xhaka won the Bundesliga and the German Cup with Leverkusen, while Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji won his tenth English title for his employer.

Experience is the main weapon

The team’s top scorer is another experienced figure – midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri of the Chicago Fire. However, in Germany, it should be other players who score goals. Noah Okafor of AC Milan has had a solid season in Bulgaria, with Kwadwo Duah (Ludogorets Razgrad) scoring again.

The Swiss may not have quality strikers to spare, but what this team could literally balance is experience. In addition to the aforementioned players, Newcastle stopper Fabian Schär or Bologna stalwart Remo Freuler or Silvan Widmer (Mainz) are also in the nomination.

It is on the basis of experience and the fact that a large part of the team has played together for a long time that the Swiss can be among the dark horses of the championship. Moreover, they have not lost a single game since the beginning of last year (1: 0 in Romania). A premiere medal at the Euros would suit the Alpine country.

The Swiss will face their first opponent on 15 June, the Hungarians. The next obstacles in Group A will be the Scots and the home Germans.

Switzerland’s nomination for the European Championships:

Goalkeepers:
Yann Sommer (Inter Milan)
Gregor Kobel (Dortmund)
Yvon Mvogo (Lorient)

Defenders:
Manuel Akanji (Manchester City)
Fabian Schär (Newcastle)
Nico Elvedi (Mönchengladbach)
Leonidas Stergiou (Stuttgart)
Silvan Widmer (Mainz)
Cédric Zesiger (Wolfsburg)
Ricardo Rodriguez (FC Torino)

Midfielders:
Granit Xhaka (Leverkusen)
Denis Zakaria (Monaco)
Michel Aebischer (Bologna)
Remo Freuler (Bologna)
Ardon Jashari (Lucerne)
Fabian Rieder (Rennes)
Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago)
Vincent Sierro (Toulouse)

Strikers:
Noah Okafor (AC Milan)
Zeki Amdouni (Burnley)
Breel Embolo (Monaco)
Dan Ndoye (Bologna)
Renato Steffen (Lugano)
Ruben Vargas (Augsburg)
Steven Zuber (AEK Athens)
Kwadwo Duah (Ludogorets Razgrad)