The Swiss beat San Marino 7-0 to qualify for Euro '16! Switzerland Goals by: M. Lang 17 Inler 55 (P) Mehmedi 65 Djourou 72 (P) Kasami 75 Embolo 80 (P) Derdiyok 89
Switzerland with a 0-1 victory thanks to an own goal. Nice job, not without a few disappointments but they are in.
A few squad announcements. - Edimilson Fernandes has surprised the ASF by turning down his M21 call-up. Fernandes is the younger brother of Gelson and plays for FC Sion. His would also be eligible to play on the full National Teams of Cape Verde and Portugal as well as the Swiss. - There have already been quite a few withdraws from the squad for Austria and Slovakia due to injury. They include Rodriguez, Xhaka, Embolo, Derdiyok, as well as Steffen. - Friendly with Ireland in March.
Hmm kind of worrying about Edimilson. Abdi should definitely get the nod. Only Swiss starter in the PL along with Shaq come on Petkovic!
After the Slovakia loss, The Swiss respond with a 1-2 away victory at Austria. All three goals were sort of odd. Seferovic with both goals.
The Swiss National Team (aka Borussia Monchendgladbach) played well today with many of the Swiss on the team taking part. Xhaka was the captain and had one assist and one really, really well struck shot blocked. He also gave up a PK. Sommer was not to blame for either Sevilla goal. Drmic played most of the match as he come on for an injured player.
Interesting? Hmmm yes. I groaned when I saw the draw. You're probably familiar with me saying that I hope Swz avoid Turkey (and especially Albania) in qualifiers. There's a chance of a 'top two' finish. Depends on how much the ref/officials are 'homers' to some extent of course...and how results pan out before the final group game? Betting odds to win Gp A: Fra 1-4 Swz 4-1 Rom 8-1 Alb 25-1
I last made a comment about Abdi three(?) years ago. Whenever he's fit he seems to do the biz at Watford. He kinda reminds me of Gygax...who when fit did the biz at Metz...and sometimes Swz.
Because we no longer have a Swiss abroad thread, here is a really nice article about Shaqiri and how he is playing at Stoke.
We looked awful against Ireland. Back to our usual friendly form after the good Austria match. Without Shaqiri we are very predictable. I would rather have Lustenberger in CD over Klose and Schaer but it looks like he may now be put off by Petkovic a la Schwegler. Rodriguez is in poor form and let players and crosses get past him. Dzemaili had a very quiet game as did Mehmedi. Only three games to go before Euro 2016...
In the grand scheme of things these are just worthless March friendlies but I am still worried. These were two very poor games. Seferovic has a terrible form and Kasami didn't impress. Klose looked better than against Ireland and should edge out Schaer next to Djourou. Mehmedi continues to disappoint. I like Steffen's intensity but his dirty play at times can be a liability. I want to see more of Tarashaj.
Wow, lots of bad news. Fabian Schär is out for a few weeks but should return for the Euros. Steven Zuber is out with cranial fractures. Johan Djourou is recovering from Mono. Timm Klose is out with a knee injury. Senderos might get the call!