World Cup CHECK | Switzerland – “Nati” is targeting the quarter-finals

In Russia, the “Nati” is taking part in a World Cup for the eleventh time. For the third time in the last four attempts, at least the round of 16 should be reached. The road there is rocky for the Swiss, as record world champions Brazil, Serbia and outsiders Costa Rica are waiting in Group E.

The Swiss presented themselves as confidently in qualifying as they did before the 2014 World Cup. Back then, seven wins and three draws were enough for first place. This time, their best qualifying performance ever with nine wins and just one defeat was not enough, as group winners Portugal had the better goal difference with the same record. The Swiss booked their World Cup ticket through the play-off. In two duels with Northern Ireland, a penalty goal from Ricardo Rodriguez in Belfast was decisive.

This means the Swiss have made it into an elite circle: from Europe, only Germany, France, Portugal, Spain and England have qualified for the World Cup in the last twelve years. There can no longer be any talk of a “small” Switzerland. The minimum goal in Russia is therefore not surprising for the round of 2016 of the 2014 European Championship, as was reaching the knockout phase in XNUMX.

“Heat Battle of Lausanne” At that time, the Swiss had reached second place in a pool with winners France, Ecuador and Honduras. In the round of 0 the final was narrowly against Argentina (1:16 nV). In the round of the last 1994, they were also eliminated in 2006 and 1954. Reaching the quarterfinals would be a historic achievement. The sixth in the world rankings is also targeting that. “We want to show that we can go further than the round of 5,” said offensive player Xherdan Shaqiri. The last of three quarter-final appearances so far came in 7, when the team was eliminated in the legendary “Heat Battle of Lausanne” against Austria (XNUMX:XNUMX).

Team boss Vladimir Petkovic wasn't even born back then. The 54-year-old has been in charge of the team since August 2014, and his support is largely the same as at the beginning of his tenure. The now 34-year-old Stephan Lichtsteiner acts as captain. The Juventus player will complete his international hundred before or during the World Cup. Granit

Another positive thing for Petkovic is that he is spoiled for choice in the goalkeeper position. With Yann Sommer (Mönchengladbach), Roman Bürki (Dortmund) and Marwin Hitz (Augsburg), three regular goalkeepers are available for clubs in the German Bundesliga. In general, the majority of the “tight-knit” team earns their money abroad; only the dethroned series champion FC Basel provides team players. In all likelihood, no player from the neo-champions Young Boys Bern, who were coached by Adi Hütter until the end of the season, will make it into the squad.

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World Cup CHECK | Switzerland – “Nati” is targeting the quarter-finals

Switzerland has become an integral part of the finals of major football tournaments.

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