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1. Playing the game
With the exception of Lyon’s replacement goal Anthony Racioppi, almost all Under-21 players come to their clubs on a regular basis. Also because, apart from Racioppi, Empoli mercenary Nedim Bajrami, Salzburg pro Noah Okafor and Southampton player Alexandre Jankewitz, they all still participated in Switzerland last season. Top scorer Andi Zeqiri, who has already scored six goals in the current European Championship standings, played 37 official matches in Lausanne last season. The other players also arrive at their minutes. An advantage that should not be underestimated when measured on the international stage.
2. The width
In the 4-1 win over Slovakia, Mauro Lustrinelli has a top-notch joker up his sleeve in Dan Ndoye, a goal and an assist in 20 minutes speak for themselves. Petar Pusic, Kastriot Imeri and Djean Stojilkovic can also convince after their substitutions. FCB jewel Yannick Marchand, one of the best on the field in the cup final, is not even worn due to stiff competition.
3. The coach
As a player, Mauro Lustrinelli did not debut in the national team until he was 29 years old, and he never played in a U-team. That doesn’t seem to be a disadvantage in terms of a coaching career. Lustrinelli managed to create a unit from a troop of strong individual players who celebrate attractive offensive football, is tactically variable and, among other things, beat the favorite Frenchman. The euphoria did not explode in Ticino but also with the 4-1 win against Slovakia, the fifth victory in the fifth game. “We still have a lot, a lot of work to do. You can destroy them all with a single defeat. “
4. The staff
With sports director Adrian Knup and game observer and opponent Gerry Gerosa, the U21 national team has two men on staff who cannot be fooled when it comes to soccer skills. The duo were involved with FC Basel for a long time, were highly regarded there and played an important role in Bebbi’s rise in the Heusler / Heitz era. It is no coincidence that the Under-21s are suddenly swimming in a wave of success.
5. Hunger
Nine years have passed since the last time a Swiss Under-21 qualified for a European Championship final. Half an eternity. The players are correspondingly hot. Or to paraphrase Mauro Lustrinelli: “The team is hungry.” The advantage over the French favorite is three points, the top nine of the group and the best runner-up qualify directly for the European Championship. The remaining runners-up are qualified for the playoffs. In these, the last four participants for the final round are determined in four pairings with one game back.
