Steffen, the new Shaqiri? 5 finds from Switzerland – Germany

Steffen, the “new Shaqiri”? 5 finds from Switzerland – Germany

1: 1 against Germany in the Nations League, a strong match for the Swiss team. What are the team’s focal points? Five finds after a pleasant evening of Swiss football.

Etienne Wuillemin / CH Media

It was one of the most beautiful football nights that the Swiss team has offered its spectators in recent years, even if they only sat in front of the television. A night that didn’t seem like a gala in terms of results, but Switzerland’s 1-1 draw against Germany is worth more than the numbers can tell. Because the way it came about is a good indication of what’s on this team. But what concrete ideas does national coach Vladimir Petkovic get away with before the games against Croatia, Spain and Germany in October?

The captain leaves, order remains

When the captain leaves the ship with the crew, it is usually a big problem. There is a gap, athletic and human, the team has to meet first, a new hierarchy emerges. Stephan Lichtsteiner resigned from world football this summer. Nati’s captain would have liked the EM as the last highlight, it turned out different because of Corona.

Now it turns out that Lichtsteiner’s absence is hardly noticeable. This is not intended to diminish his merits and role, but rather to emphasize how well Lichtsteiner has already presented his successor as Captain Granit Xhaka in office and how much Lichtsteiner has acted as a team player, and thus leaves a group. very intact.

Obviously, Xhaka also gets the role of true captain quite well. He leads the team on the field, it shows for everyone, but he does not exaggerate. His two appearances against Ukraine and Germany were promising. You probably know very well that Switzerland has never needed you as much as now. The days of your learning in a leadership role are definitely over. It is very possible that it will grow back.

The duel for the position in the right rear is launched

Let’s stay in the right back position. Traditionally it is a position on the national team where there is great competition. Even now without Lichtsteiner.

His designated successor Kevin Mbabu probably has the most promising investments. In Wolfsburg, he prevailed after a difficult start. The longer the season lasted, the better it got going. His problem, however, is that in the selection he was always at the origin of the goals conceded with inaccuracies and carelessness.

Now Silvan Widmer has shown against Germany that the fight for the position is more open than ever. Widmer may be playing better than ever in Basel. He’s more reliable defensively than Mbabu and still has a strong presence up front – his goal against Germany wasn’t the only example. Widmer has already missed a big tournament several times in the last second, is it his time now? Michael Lang, most recently Lichtsteiner’s first deputy, currently ranks third in the hierarchy.

Steffen as a possible replacement for Shaqiri

On paper, the two are separated by a single centimeter. Renato Steffen is 1.70 meters, Xherdan Shaqiri 1.69 meters. When it comes to titles, the difference is a bit bigger. And when it comes to being in the Swiss national team, anyway.

But due to the constant absence of Shaqiri (last international match on June 9, 2019), the question arises whether there would be an alternative for him without adapting the system. Last night provided a first hint that it might not be impossible to replace Shaqiri in a similar way: thanks to Steffen. And at the risk that a single game is a bit for a final judgment.

But the way Steffen played his role against Germany is pleasing. After a probing phase, which is logical, after all he only reached the third international match from the beginning, Steffen became more comfortable with every minute. He spun around, played smart passes, brought speed into the game, and is uncomfortable for any opponent with his scathing manners. The assumption is allowed: there will be more national team matches with Steffen alias Shaqiri.

Rodríguez in central defense

For many years one thing was as true in the national team as the Amen in the church: Ricardo Rodríguez defends in the left rear. Since Switzerland has played primarily with a three-man chain, Rodriguez has moved between the left outside running back and the left central defender. Now it becomes clearer the longer: Rodríguez belongs in central defense. His calm with the ball and his good opening game take center stage there.

In this position, your speed limit is not too heavy. In the long run, Switzerland needs four central defenders anyway, because one of them is usually injured or suspended for a season or even during a tournament. The Schär, Akanji, Elvedi and Rodríguez quartet meet the highest standards.

The second row moves into position

There are many Swiss players who have earned an extra helping of praise against Germany. Starting with Sommer, who was there as usual at a big game when needed. Moving on to Seferovic, who is approaching his best form again and always works tirelessly for his teammates. Or Elvedi, who plays so calmly that sometimes you have to remind yourself that she is only 23 years old.

All of them deserve a mention. And it is perhaps the most beautiful understanding that no one has turned away from. That the second row has finally proven that it is ready when needed. Loris Benito has probably shown his best international match. But Djibril Sow has also shown a completely different face compared to the boring appearance in Ukraine. Together with Xhaka, he managed to decisively break the circles of the German duo Kroos / Gündogan. And that’s why it applies both to him and to the entire Swiss team: it can continue like this.