Staying in the league must be achieved by relying on the backbone team

Manuel Akanji also missed the last game of the year: the model of the Swiss national team has collapsed.

Sebastian Wendel/ch media

At the European Championships in the summer, a three-man defense in front of goalkeeper Yann Sommer was the basis of the Swiss attack in the quarter-finals: Fabian Schär on the right, Li Ricardo Rodriguez is on the left and Manuel Akanji is between them. Four months on, not only are the skies overcast, but so is the state of the national team. In the final UEFA Nations League games against Serbia and Spain, relegation was at issue – who would have thought that would happen in July?

And this time relegation is more likely than staying in the league. Also because the national team has very little left in the summer season and has conceded ten goals in the four games since the European Championships. Shar? Resigned. Rodriguez? Betis has played just one (!) minute in Sevilla's last four games. Akanji? Still injured in Manchester.

Greg Kerber's usage remains questionable.Image: trapezoid

What about summer successor Gregor Kerber? He has been called up, but whether he will be allowed to play in Friday's all-or-nothing game against Serbia is anyone's guess. Kerber is yet to play a game for his employers Borussia Dortmund in November. With Dortmund looking to get their vice-captain back as quickly as possible amid the current crisis, Kerber will only play if he is 100% fit.

Therefore, Swiss second division goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo, a professional goalkeeper in Lorient, is likely to guard the Swiss team's goal against Serbia. This also applies to the left wing: Miro Muheim from the “promotable” Bundesliga side Hamburger SV was nominated for the first time, as national team coach Murat Yakin believed that a better left-footed player could not be found.

At left midfield, if Yakin opts for his preferred five-man midfield system, Aton Jashari is also worth a try: the well-drilled midfielder can't get past central forwards Granit Xhaka and Remo Fernando Royler, but he has moved to midfield. On the left is U21.

Orele Armenda is expected to make his debut for the national team.Image: trapezoid

The centre-backs, whether made up of two or three players, almost always set themselves up: one of the trio of Komelt (a returner), Armenda and Hajdari (both making their debuts) is sure to will participate in the competition, all three are far away from the European Cup. summer. Switzerland need a two-goal win to avoid relegation next Friday against Serbia in Letzgrund, and there will be a national team on the pitch in a constellation where it will be difficult to get their act together again.

National team director Pierluigi Tammy officially stated that the thin team played no role in the goal: “We will not hide behind the injured, we want to stay in Serie A.”

When asked how bad relegation, with its attendant reduction in UEFA prize money, and less attractive opponents in the next Nations League would be from the association's perspective, Tammy shared the same sentiment as the coach. Yakin would not consider relegation “that tragic” and Tammy said: “I agree with Murat. With four teams, the risk of relegation is higher. And in the previous games we were not completely dominant, even if we I've made mistakes myself. I'm particularly happy for the new players and the returners: it will be great for them if they make the most of their opportunities.” (aargauerzeitung.ch)

Michel Abisher and Ruben Vargas were not even included in the Swiss national team's squad for the games against Serbia and Spain. Now Manuel Akanji and Denis Zakaria are also canceled. And there is a risk of further failure.

On Thursday, national team coach Murat Yakin announced the shortlist for the final two Nations League games against Serbia and Spain. There's more trouble ahead over the weekend. According to “CH Media”, Manuel Akanji and Denis Zakaria were also not selected for the national team. Both are injured and will miss games for their respective clubs in Saturday's championship game.