Switzerland
Switzerland
Schweizer Nati enter the 2010 World Cup in unfamiliar territory. The Swiss are now looked upon as a dark horse for the competition after topping Group Two in European qualification, just edging out Greece for an automatic berth. Ottmar Hitzfeld’s men are aiming to better their best record in the World Cup: three quarter-final appearances from the 1930s to the 1950s, but they will settle for anything beyond the second round, where they were eliminated from by Ukraine in the 2006.
The Swiss squad boasts an even mix of youth and experience, and under Hitzfeld’s astute management, could well surprise a few people. In defence, Lazio’s Stephen Lichtsteiner, Arsenal’s Philippe Senderos and veteran Hakan Yakin will all be relied upon to shore up any holes at the back. In midfield, Udinese's Gökhan Inler has been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool, and will be hoping to show why, while playmaker Tranquillo Barnetta was mercurial during qualification. Youngsters Erin Derdiyok and Gelson Fernandes are coming off impressive club seasons, and West Ham’s Valon Behrami has been a consistent Premiership performer for a few years. Up front, Hitzfeld will rely on the experience of veterans Alexander Frei and Blaise Nkufo, who have plenty of international goals between them.
Key Player: Tranquillo Barnetta
After a strong showing at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Swiss winger Tranquillo Barnetta has continued to impress at club level with Bayer Leverkusen, becoming one of the mainstays of their team, scoring and providing plenty of goals as the German side have been title challengers for the past few seasons. At the international level, Barnetta has bloomed under coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, scoring 9 goals in 41 appearances while playing the crucial playmaker role in the Swiss qualification process. Barnetta was part of the Swiss u-17 team that won the 2002 European Youth Championships, and his pace and trickery will be important for the Switzerland team if they are to progress in South Africa.
What they said
“Earlier, we’d come up against France or Italy and we’d say ‘uh oh, we’re the little Swiss’. All that has changed once he arrived and that’s made the national team very strong.” – Injured striker Johan Vonlanthen praises the influence of coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.
What we think
In Hitzfeld, the Swiss could not wish for a manager with greater nous, and they will hope to edge Chile to get to the second round. However, with a second round draw that will pit them against the winners of the Group of Death even if they do, it seems very unlikely that the Swiss will make it into the latter stages of the tournament.
Saturday 26th May 2012
| Switzerland | 5-3 | Germany |
|
|
|
Wednesday 29th February 2012
| Switzerland | 1-3 | Argentina |
|
|
|
