For a country that has a proud tradition of neutrality, it comes as no surprise that their football team is often shy of attacking.
World Cup history suggests Switzerland like to shut up shop before they cash in. They did not concede at the 2006 World Cup, and let in just the one goal four years later. All they had to show for it was respective round-of-16 and group stage exits, scoring just five goals in that seven game span.
Perhaps inspired by Brazilian flair, Switzerland danced to the tune of a samba beat in South America in 2014 and shook off those ‘solid, if not spectacular’ shackles.
A last-ditch winner against Ecuador, a 5-2 thumping at the hands of France and then a Xherdan Shaqiri hat-trick against Honduras – the Swiss were on a roll.
All the nervousness that comes with a knockout game appeared as they were knocked out by finalists Argentina after extra-time in the next round, but even still, there was potential to work with.
Now worry has resurfaced. Having been pipped to the automatic spot by Portugal during the qualifiers, the Swiss squeaked past plucky Northern Ireland thanks to a big dose of drama.
In the first leg of the play-off, Vladimir Petkovic’s side were awarded a penalty after the ball was smashed, at close range, into Corry Evans and it ricocheted off his arm.
The decision did not go down well in Belfast. Back at St Jakob Park, where Switzerland had only lost once in 16 years, it was Northern Ireland who looked the superior side even though the hosts bumbled through.
In Shaqiri, the Swiss have a winger of genuine world-class ability who has not truly kicked on since starring in Brazil. With all respect to Stoke, Shaqiri would be playing his football 40 miles north in Manchester if he had.
Those two are the least of Petkovic’s problems, though – Haris Seferovic is the latest striker to fall foul of the boo-boys after falling flat in the play-offs.
There is hope. The injury stricken Schalke striker Breel Embolo may yet provide the solution and that Swiss solidity is a platform to be built upon, not sniffed at.
KEY PLAYER
Xherdan Shaqiri
The one player who can be relied upon to inject Switzerland with some unpredictability. An expert set-piece taker, as seen in the Premier League with Stoke, and though his nickname ‘Alpine Messi’ may be a misnomer he does have a penchant for the spectacular.
COACH
Vladimir Petkovic
Sarajevo-born Petkovic has been based in Switzerland for the majority of his managerial career, but in his one season with Lazio lifted the Coppa Italia. Under pressure to boost his side’s anemic attack – has enough tools at his disposal to at least make a good fist of it.
CAPTAIN
Stephan Lichtsteiner
The wing-back has been in the professional game since 2001, but at the age of 34, he is no longer first-choice for Juventus and will leave this summer. He will be an extremely experienced voice in the dressing room – but can he still lead by example on the pitch?
YOUNG STAR
Breel Embolo
A man featured on many ‘youngsters to watch’ shortlists as a teenager, the now 21-year-old has had his progress stunted by injuries. At his best, powerful, pacy and composed in front of goal – could well start up front given the lack of options.
KEY FACTS AND STATS
– Josef Hugl scored a national record six goals when leading Switzerland to the quarterfinals of the 1954 World Cup
– This is Switzerland’s 11th World Cup. They have a history in the competition dating back to 1934
– Switzerland went the entirety of their 2006 World Cup campaign without conceding – 559 minutes – but lost on penalties to Ukraine in the last-16
FIFA Rating
78 DEF 77 MID 76 ATT
World Cups competed at
11 (First in 1934)
World Cup record
P33, W11, D6, L16
Best finish
Quarter-finals (1934, 1938 & 1954)
Qualification record
P12, W10, D1, L1
World ranking
6
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Y. Sommer (Borussia Monchengladbach), R. Burki (Borussia Dortmund), Y. Mvogo (Leipzig).
Defenders: S. Lichtsteiner (Juventus), J. Djourou (Antalyaspor), R. Rodriguez (Milan), F. Schar (Deportivo La Coruna), F. Moubandje (Toulouse), M. Lang (Basel), M. Akanji (Borussia Dortmund), N. Elvedi (Borussia Monchengladbach).
Midfielders: V. Behrami (Udinese), X. Shaqiri (Stoke), G. Fernandes (Eintracht Frankfurt), B. Zemaili (Bologna), G. Xhaka (Arsenal), S. Zuber (Hoffenheim), R. Freuler (Atalanta), D. Zakaria (Borussia Monchengladbach).
Strikers: H, Seferovic (Benfica), J. Drmic (Borussia Monchengladbach), B. Embolo (Schalke), M. Gavranovic (Dinamo Zagreb).
VERDICT
Switzerland are favourites for Group E’s runners-up spot. A well-oiled machine needs to use its gears in attack to progress much further.
