Switzerland bets on defensive strength that helped stop Italy from the World Cup

In November 2021, a video of coach Murat Yakin went viral on social media, wrapping world-famous Swiss chocolates as a gift to Northern Ireland players.

The Swiss coach’s joke was a way of thanking the Irish for their help in the last round of Europe’s World Cup Qualifiers, when they managed to hold off a goalless draw with Italy.

In a simultaneous duel, the Swiss thrashed Bulgaria 4-0 and won the only direct place for the World Cup in Qatar, forcing the Italians to compete in the “playoffs” – a stage in which Italy was eventually overcome by North Macedonia and said goodbye to chance to return to the Cup.

Ireland’s help was important, but the Swiss campaign, especially in direct confrontations with Italy, was also decisive.

At home, Yakin’s team held on to a goalless draw. On Italian territory, another draw, 1-1. Di Lorenzo’s goal was only the second conceded by the Swiss in the tournament. Until then, they had only been leaked in the opening round, when they beat Bulgaria 3-1.

It is true that it was not long before a third ball reached goalkeeper Sommer’s net, when Italian-Brazilian midfielder Jorginho missed a penalty in the 43rd minute of the final stage of the second match between the countries, could have given the Italians the spot.

But football is not made of “if”. In the case of Switzerland, the results have been built on the basis of a strong defensive system. It was like that in the Qualifiers, with two goals conceded in eight games, and it was like that even during a World Cup.

In 2006, at the World Cup in Germany, the Swiss became the only ones to date to advance to the knockout stage of the Cup and bid farewell to the tournament without conceding a goal. On that occasion, they passed unharmed in the group stage, against France (0-0), Togo (2-0) and South Korea (2-0).

In the round of 16, after a goalless draw against Ukraine, they were only eliminated on penalties.

Since that edition, Switzerland has always been present at the World Cups. And they almost always advanced to the round of 16 — except in 2010, when they fell in the group stage.

Being synonymous with a team with a stable and compact defense seems to be an obsession for the Swiss. According to goalkeeper Sommer, coach Murat Yakin usually pays special attention to the sector.

“He puts a lot of emphasis on face-to-face conversations and good team spirit. He also looks at defense from the defender’s point of view, which I think is valuable,” says the goalkeeper.

Switzerland will compose the Group G of the World Cup in Qatar with Brazil, Cameroon and Serbia. It will be the third time that the team will be on the Brazilian path. And is undefeated in the match.

In 1950, the duel with Switzerland (2-2 at Pacaembu) was the only one that the selection did not win before the defeat in the final game to Uruguay. In Russia, in 2018, for the group stage, new equality: 1 to 1.

To give work again, Murat Yakin will take the base of the team that played in Euro 2020 to Qatar. by 3 to 1.

The coach recently completed a year ahead of the team. He decided to keep the style of play of his predecessor, Vladimir Petkovic, with a variation between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1. The main piece is Granit Xhaka, a midfielder who also arrives at the attack to finish.

For the Arsenal player, in addition to maintaining the style players are used to, Yakin’s greatest merit is the mentality he has given the squad.

“The daily intensity is greater than before. He wants our defense to be more compact and to concede fewer goals,” he said. “If you look at our qualifying campaign, we did everything right.”

The expectation now is to repeat this at the World Cup. “Of course we have to go through the group stage first. After that, I think anything is possible”, summed up Xhaka.