2023-11-22 00:12:58
The Swiss team ended its run in the Euro 2024 qualifiers by conceding its first defeat of the campaign. Granit Xhaka and his team were beaten 1-0 by Romania in Bucharest. They finished 2nd in their group.
As in the previous two matches against Israel and Kosovo, Manuel Akanji and Granit Xhaka did not give the impression that they were ready to push their limits to save their coach’s head. It is now on the chopping block.
A new system with a three-way defense and new men with the tenure of Yvon Mvogo, Michel Aebischer and Dan Ndoye: Murat Yakin decided to innovate three days after the poor performance against Kosovo. This 3-4-3 undoubtedly helped the team to show real ascendancy. But his lack of edge in the last thirty meters did not allow him to realize his superiority. A cross from Ndoye after a delicious shift from Xherdan Shaqiri in the 27th could, however, have given the Swiss the advantage. Only, no one appeared on the Waldensian’s offering.
Enough to tear your hair out
The Romanians, on the other hand, barely managed to open the scoring in the 50th minute. Denis Alibec could beat Ricardo Rodriguez to conclude a textbook action led by strategist Nicolae Stanciu. The success of Al-Muaither’s player in Qatar placed the Swiss face to face with their responsibilities. Did they still have a hint of pride to avoid losing for the first time since the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup?
We believed it for a few minutes. Murat Yakin was left tearing his hair out after missed opportunities by Okafor and Ruben Vargas in the space of a few seconds shortly before the hour mark. Both men saw their shots diverted by Horatju Moldovan. A few moments later, the coach made three changes, the most notable of which was the departure of Shaqiri. In vain…
Switzerland will therefore appear in the 4th pot for the draw on Saturday December 2 (6 p.m. in Hamburg).
ats/ace
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