14:00 Armenia -- : -- Ukraine
17:00 Northern Ireland -- : -- Kosovo
17:00 Slovenia -- : -- Norway
19:45 Czech Republic -- : -- Portugal
19:45 Spain -- : -- Switzerland
19:45 The Zionist entity --: -- Albania
19:45 Serbia -- : -- Sweden
19:45 Cyprus -- : -- Greece
19:45 Scotland -- : -- Ireland
The synthesis of Portugal – Switzerland: unpresentable
The national team completely missed its subject on Sunday in Lisbon. The 4-0 defeat brought to light many shortcomings, especially defensively.
This is not the time for conclusions. But beaten 4-0 by Portugal, the Swiss team must face the facts. They are not glorious. For example, it had been since the 2014 World Cup that she had not taken more than three goals in the same match. It was then against France, with a heavy defeat 5-2. Too much has changed since to draw parallels.
Fabian Schär and Gregor Kobel regularly teamed up to contribute to the Swiss debacle on Sunday.
freshfocus
What should be noted, however, is that the start of 2022 is particularly complicated for the national team. She seems totally out of her bearings. And what was presented in Lisbon on Sunday does nothing to reassure oneself. The synthesis of a debacle.
The Three Teachings
Like it or not, there is a problem with this team from Switzerland. It may be mental, physical, tactical or inherent in the personalities that compose it (between Granit Xhaka and Murat Yakin, it seems that there are waves). Still, the ground highlights difficulties that had never been apparent in recent years. Because beyond the results, what makes the moment worrying lies in the services provided. And nothing is encouraging.
On Sunday, Switzerland had several streaks with the ball (45% possession, all the same, similar value between the two halves), but its use proved to be anecdotal. Because the defensive performance has turned into the unpresentable. More than a question of duels or attitude Рwhich was noted in the Czech Republic on Thursday Рit was the tactical dimension that was brought to light at the Estadio Jos̩ Alvalade. In other words, on each of the Portuguese phases of play, Switzerland left holes in their brilliant opponent. Under these conditions, it is too easy to create spaces in the Swiss bloc.
We can of course attribute goals to him (the first, like the fourth), even if he was not helped much by his partners. Anyway, Gregor Kobel didn't score points in the duel to be Yann Sommer's understudy in goal for the Swiss team. His presence was not felt, despite his 195 centimeters, and the lack of complicity with his central defense (too often high and exposed) was obvious.