Northern Ireland vs Switzerland (21/03/2025)

TACTICS Throughout UEFA Euro 2024 Switzerland set up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. However, in the Nati’s UEFA Nations League matches at home to Serbia and away to Spain last November, Yakin’s side started with a back four in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Irrespective of their starting formation, Switzerland’s set-up under Yakin tends to be quite flexible. A notable tactical feature of their showing at Euro 2024 was Michel Aebischer’s fluid positioning. The Athletic’s Liam Thrame commented during the 2-0 win over Italy on 29 June 2024 that Aebischer’s position was “half wing-back, half No 8” and it was noticeable “how deep he is pinning Italy’s midfield”. In that same game Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler intelligently sat in front of Switzerland’s central defenders to prevent Italy pressurising the Rossocrociati’s back line in the first phase of their press. Left-sided centre back Ricardo Rodriguez often stepped into the space left by Aebischer on the left and joined in Switzerland’s attacks. And much of the Nati’s forward play went down that side during Euro 2024. In their opening four matches at the tournament 45% of their attacks were built down the left flank and 21% came through the centre. STRENGTHS Switzerland’s tactical fluidity makes them an unpredictable and therefore dangerous opponent. As mentioned in the case of Aebischer at Euro 2024, Yakin’s full-backs/wing-backs often come into central areas, where they create overloads. This is useful to Switzerland, both in terms of denying their opponents space in the middle and also giving them a numerical advantage going forward, especially in counter-attacking situations. Former Arsenal star Xhaka, who plays for Bayer Leverkusen these days, Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji, Brest midfielder Edimilson Fernandes and Napoli forward Noah Okafor are not involved this evening, for various reasons, however the Swiss squad is still packed with players who operate in Europe’s top leagues. And in Freuler, who plays for Bologna in Italy’s Serie A, they have a shrewd midfield operator.

SCOUTING REPORT

Andy Greeves takes a closer look at Switzerland ahead of this evening’s international challenge match in Belfast. LOWDOWN Since their last visit to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park for a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier in September 2021, Switzerland have competed at two major tournaments. The ‘Rossocrociati’ (Red Crosses) reached the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, where they were defeated 6-1 by Portugal. An impressive showing at UEFA Euro 2024 saw them finish second to hosts Germany in Group A, with a win and two draws. They defeated Italy 2-0 in the round of 16 before a quarter-final penalty shootout defeat to England. The Nati (National Team) have appeared at the last six major tournaments since the disappointment of missing out on a place at UEFA Euro 2012. Switzerland will compete in FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifying Group B along with Sweden, Slovenia and Kosovo. Murat Yakin’s side host Kosovo on 5 September in their first European qualifying fixture. Before then the Nati have four friendly fixtures, starting in Belfast this evening before taking on Luxembourg in St Gallen on Tuesday, while they are due to face Mexico in Rice-Eccles and the United States in Nashville in June.

IRISHFA.COM

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