Five findings: how Petkovic has changed the national team since the 2018 World Cup

Analysis

Five findings: how Petkovic has changed the national team since the 2018 World Cup

Swiss footballers yearn for the best in the world. But how did the upheaval after the 2018 World Cup succeed? Did Vladimir Petkovic keep his promises? An analysis before the friendly in Belgium tonight (8:45 pm).

etienne Wuillemin / ch media

The memory is painful. The 0: 1 in the round of 16 of the World Cup against Sweden. The missed opportunity to finally reach the quarterfinals. Double eagles instead of grass magic. National coach Vladimir Petkovic was lucky that his contract had already been extended until 2019 and that he was given another chance to escape the tie.

Petkovic promised that the Swiss national team would appear more courageous and dynamic in the future and would bring more pleasure to the fans. Did you keep your promise? Tonight’s friendly against Belgium is the ideal moment to take stock. The memory of this opponent is sweet. In November 2018, an euphoric Swiss team defeated the Belgians 5-2 after being 0-2 behind: it was an innovative night.

The system – chain of three

Petkovic’s love for the back three was already known when he became national coach in 2014. But never in the next four years did he think it was the right time to try the new system. There were very few valid central defenders available. Ottmar Hitzfeld’s 4-2-3-1 system was too well rehearsed.

But now times have changed. With Schär, Elvedi and Akanji, there are three strong central defenders available. Rodríguez also stands out in the center. That means: Switzerland can dictate what happens from behind.

In autumn 2018, Petkovic tested the system sporadically for the first time. The 5: 2 against Belgium marked the turning point. Switzerland started with four behind to 0-2. Then Petkovic switched to the three-way chain and was immediately rewarded.

Since then he has not deviated from this basic framework. And the team is obviously comfortable with that. Thanks to the strong defense, it is possible, with few exceptions, to be visually dominant even against great opponents. The match in Spain a month ago was the exception.

Rejuvenation

Lichtsteiner, Behrami, Dzemaili, Gelson Fernandes, Djourou – there are five faces that have shaped the Nati for many years. Even before the World Cup, some people wondered if the time had come to change. But it took Russia’s disappointment before Petkovic made it.

Instead, he was now more determined to address the turmoil. Too determined for the liking of Behrami, who angrily resigned when he learned of Petkovic’s plans. Certainly, the commotion was not confidently moderated. Even Captain Lichtsteiner didn’t know what he was doing with Petkovic for a long time before resigning this summer. Dzemaili and Djourou were simply no longer called. Without receiving a sign of the approaching end.

Now the commotion is complete and you can see: none of the team’s supporters is more than 29 years old, except for goalkeeper Sommer. With Xhaka, Schär, Rodríguez, Freuler (all 28), Shaqiri and Seferovic (both 29), the players of the best football age form the framework. They are complemented by actors who still have their best days ahead and still have immense experience, for example Zakaria, Embolo (both 23), Elvedi (24) or Akanji (25). In short, it is a team that could play a few more years with this composition. That is a good perspective.

Shaqiri’s role

Petkovic should have acknowledged that Xherdan Shaqiri’s time as winger had ended before the knockout stages of the World Cup against Sweden. His wit shows best in the middle. A brilliant pass here, a surprising twist there: Shaqiri remains the actor most likely to make a difference on offense.

Now Petkovic is in the process of adjusting Shaqiri’s role even further. The question is: how much freedom can you have in the field? As Shaqiri still has little playing time at Liverpool, he also makes bad passes. But Petkovic is willing to take risks. In Germany he even installed Shaqiri along with two forwards. The stakes are high, but the gamble could pay off.

Extended family eleven

For years, the lack of balance was one of Switzerland’s biggest problems. As soon as the team struggled with injuries or bans, the loss of quality followed. That is why Petkovic has proclaimed the goal of having at least “14 or 15 regular players” by the time of the Euro.

In fact, it could work. Akanji complements the defense to form an equivalent quartet, Zakaria the midfield and Gavranovic the storm each in a trio. The positions of the runners are filled twice. And maybe other guys like Vargas, Itten, Ajeti or Sow will soon have a permanent breakthrough.

Try, for example, press

Sometimes this fall you had the feeling that the Swiss wanted to be like Bayern Munich, sometimes they pushed too hard. It didn’t always go well. Many mistakes were unnecessary. But you probably have those experiences on your way to the top of the world. The key is to draw the correct conclusions. It means: not wanting to suddenly force something in an MS.

This week, Petkovic wants to try some things again in the duels with Belgium, Spain and Ukraine. Both personally and tactically. Despite all the difficulties, if Switzerland really must be relegated from the League of Nations League A, it is the right time to experiment. After all, qualification for the Qatar 2022 World Cup will begin in March.

conclusion

But it’s also a fact: the Swiss yearning for the best in the world is unshakable. There are still no wins in five games in 2020. However, Petkovic says: “Compared to the 2018 World Cup, we are closer to the top of the world.” That has to do with his good work as a coach. But Petkovic also adds: “It’s the little things that are hardest to improve.”

Something was always missing in an exploit. But perhaps the Swiss have saved the perfect performance.