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Mario Gavranovic temporarily put Switzerland in the lead. Image: keystone
“The team was not very well rehearsed” – Switzerland is subject to Croatia
The Swiss team lost the friendly in St. Gallen against World Cup finalist Croatia after a 1: 2 lead. Manuel Akanji was absent due to a positive coronavirus test, four players debuted in the SFV team.
A press release from the association was the main headline of the evening 75 minutes before kick-off at the Kybunpark in St. Gallen. After Xherdan Shaqiri on Tuesday, Manuel Akanji also tested positive for the corona virus on Wednesday, meaning the Borussia Dortmund defender will not travel to Spain on Thursday.
“The team was not very well rehearsed. We wanted to make the most of it, but we couldn’t. But you can’t blame the team too much. I am proud of my debut. “
Jonas omlin
Also for this reason, and in view of the two difficult away games in Spain and Germany, the match against Croatia, the World Cup finalists, was almost a minor matter, especially since both coaches did not have their strongest formation, as announced. .
Gavranovic puts Switzerland in the lead. Video: transmittable
Mario Pasalic of Atalanta Bergamo made the decision in the 66th minute of play, which remained entertained for a long time. A bad pass from Eray Cömert to Remo Freuler caused the ball to be lost. The only chance to equalize for the hosts was Cedric Itten shortly before the end, but the Basel player could not avoid the first Swiss defeat in the fourth game with Croatia.
Dominant first half hour
The SFV team had made their way into the game and were clearly the best team for the first half hour. She deservedly took the lead when Mario Gavranovic headed a cross from captain Granit Xhaka in the 31st minute to score his eighth goal in the 23rd international game. The Dinamo Zagreb forward had already been 1-0 on the foot shortly before when he missed – wonderfully used by Admir Mehmedi- before the goal against Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
Brekalo hits wonderfully to equalize. Video: transmittable
After that, however, the host gave up the scepter and strayed from his usual, dominance-oriented style of play, which was quickly punished. The Croats created their first scoring chances and drew before half-time. Josip Brekalo, Mehmedi’s teammate in Wolfsburg, scored with a wonderful direct acceptance to make the 1: 1 (42nd).
«It was a special evening for me. The third time I play against my roots and the third time I score. It’s a shame we didn’t win. But it was also an honor for me to be able to wear the captain’s armband. “
Mario gavranovic
As announced, Vladimir Petkovic gave the second row players a chance to introduce themselves. With Montpellier goalkeeper Jonas Omlin, FCZ defender Becir Omeragic and Nice right-back Jordan Lotomba, three players made their national team debut from the start. After a good hour, Simon Sohm from Parma also had his debut in the SFV jersey. The four of them did their job quite well.
Pasalic decides the game for Croatia. Video: transmittable
“We did our best in the second half. But we have had a lot of changes and first-class players have come to our opponents. But I have seen that we can also play our football when the team is not complete. “
Vladimir Petkovic
Shaqiri tested negative, will he play against Spain?
In Croatia, Domagoj Vida was just one of the 2018 World Cup finalists on the grid. Zlatko Dalic’s team is changing. Luka Modric continues to lead the team, the 35-year-old Real Madrid midfielder was substituted a quarter of an hour before the end, to the delight of the Croatian fans among the 4,500 spectators. While the Croats qualified for the European Championship a year ago, they began the Nations League campaign with two losses.
Can Shaqiri play against Spain again? Photo: trapezoidal
Switzerland will continue against Spain on Saturday in Madrid, without Akanji, but possibly with Xherdan Shaqiri, whose coronavirus test was negative on Wednesday. In Spain, Vladimir Petkovic will once again rely on his best abilities. After just one point from the first two games and the loss to Croatia, the SFV team is under pressure, but the next endurance test will follow on Tuesday in Cologne against Germany. (sda)
Switzerland – Croatia 1: 2 (1: 1)
Kybunpark, St. Gallen. – 4500 spectators. – SR Martins (POR). –
Tore: 31. Gavranovic (Xhaka) 1: 0. 42. Brekalo (Bradaric) 1: 1. 66. Pasalic (Budimir) 1: 2.
Switzerland: Omlin; Cömert, Schär (76º Benito), Omeragic; Lotomba, Xhaka (46th Freuler), Sow (64th Sohm), Rodríguez (46th Zuber); Mehmedi (46th Vargas), Fernandes (62nd Itten); Gavranovic.
Croatia: Livakovic; Uremovic (62. Jedvaj), Vida, Caleta-Car, Melnjak; Badelj (46th Brozovic), Kovacic (57th Rog); Brekalo, Pasalic (75. Modric), Bradaric (75. Perisic); Petkovic (57. Budimir).
Observations: Switzerland without Akanji, Shaqiri, Steffen (all tested positive for Corona), Aebischer, Ajeti, Embolo, Lang, Mbabu and Zakaria (all injured).
Warnings: 23. Kovacic (Foul). 39. Lotomba (Foul). 91. Jedvaj (Foul). (abu / sda)
