“We were satisfied for two days. Now we have to be hungry again.” The Swiss team boss Vladimir Petkovic swears the “Nati” to the next surprise after the dramatic victory in the last 16 against world champions France: Today in St. Petersburg, Spain, the next overpowering opponent is to be brought to their knees (6 pm).
“You can’t say we’re happy to have reached the quarter-finals. We want to go through,” said the 57-year-old. He has to come up with something today: his captain Granit Xhaka, towering against France, is banned.
The heart is missing
“Granite is our heart on the pitch,” said goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Petkovic left open yesterday who will strike the hour now. “Xhaka is a very important player, but we have other good players.” Mönchengladbach’s Denis Zakaria, Frankfurt’s Djibril Sow and Edimilson Fernandes from Mainz should offer themselves as alternatives. Petkovic: “I have an idea. After a night’s sleep, I’ll communicate it to the team.” One thing is certain: Xherdan Shaqiri takes over the inheritance as captain. “I am proud to be able to lead the team,” said the 29-year-old Liverpool attacker.
A win in 22 duels
Overall, the Swiss managed only one victory in 22 games against Spain – at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in the group stage. Against the reigning European champions and number two in the FIFA world rankings, who had only suffered one defeat in 48 games before, they achieved a sensation with a 1-0 win. Thanks to a strong defensive performance and luck, the team of the then team boss Ottmar Hitzfeld saved the lead over time. Despite the victory, the Swiss missed the entry into the knockout phase, while Spain became world champions for the first time.
Little has changed in the Spanish game since then, but this time the Swiss will flee to the front – as in the two duels in the Nations League. In October 2020, the Spaniards won their home game in Madrid 1-0. A month later, a goal in the 89th minute by Gerard Moreno saved the Spaniards from defeat in the 1-1 draw in Basel.
“We have often proven that we do not stand in the back. We will play normal game,” said Shaqiri and promised: “If we bring one hundred and twenty percent, a lot is possible.” Like in the round of 16 against France. This victory “showed us all what we are capable of when we stick together,” said midfielder Remo Freuler. The recipe for success should also work this time. Petkovic: “The opponent is the favorite. We have to be self-confident and defensively. And run more than the opponent.” However, St. Petersburg has not been good soil recently: Switzerland lost there in the World Cup round of 16 against Sweden 0-1 in 2018.
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
