[ad_1]
Image: Keystone
With his header in injury time, Granit Xhaka narrowly missed the goal and victory over Germany in the Nations League. With Switzerland missing some good opportunities earlier, the feeling of slight disappointment extends to the end. But instead of bothering about losing two points, we need to estimate how far the national team has come.
It’s hard to talk about a big step or an impressive performance after a draw. However, the 1-1 draw against Germany seems to be exactly that. After a poor start, the national team has shown tremendous mental strength, playful class and an irrepressible will to beat one of the strongest opponents on the international scene. All the things that make up a superior team.
After losing to Ukraine, repeating the exploits of last year’s Nations League campaign seemed almost completely impossible. This sentiment is no longer so strong: in Basel, Switzerland confirms that it belongs to the European elite. This is also demonstrated by the reactions of the neighboring country.
“Saved at the finish line”, headlines the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, for example. And the “Kicker” and the “Bild” also coincide: Switzerland was better. Sure, Germany played on Sunday, as in the opening match against Spain and with the exception of Niklas Süle and new signing Leroy Sané, without the stars of Champions League champion Bayern Munich. This should not reduce the performance of the Confederates.
Switzerland as a nasty opponent
It’s no secret that the 2014 world champions’ win over Switzerland was anything but certain. A kind of respect that you must first earn from a neighbor who is not always so humble. I’m a little pissed off. We lost balls that we can easily fix. When we conceded we already secured the ball and made a bad pass without any distress, “complains German striker Ilkay Gündogan and admits:” Something like this shouldn’t happen at this level. “
These are words that surely one would not have heard a few years ago. The repeated strong performances of the Swiss team in international tournaments, the feat in the Nations League 2019 and the excellent performances without exception in the games against the really greats have earned Vladimir Petkovic’s team a reputation as extremely unpleasant opponents, tactically excellently. trained and challenging over the years. . Something that Switzerland can be proud of. Even if it was “just” enough to draw against Germany on Sunday.
[ad_2]
