Swiss Nati wins against the Czech Republic: Sommer holds, Embolo hits

Yann Sommer: The penalty specialist

One should use superlatives sparingly. But Yann Sommer is probably the best goalkeeper in the world right now when it comes to repelling penalties. He also successfully parried against the Czech Republic’s Tomas Soucek in the middle of the second half when the score was 2:1. Sommer has fended off every fourth penalty in his career – and in the last few years in the national team felt like every one (at least the last five from the game). Which is an excellent sign for the Swiss regarding the World Cup in a few weeks in Qatar.

In any case, Sommer was much more in focus against the Czech Republic than against Spain – and than he might have liked. The men in front defended much less concentrated than three days before, it was sometimes a wild game, bar and post saved three times for the defeated goalie. When the goal was conceded by the Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick (from around eleven meters, by the way), Sommer was powerless. For once, however, the goalkeeper, who is otherwise so strong in the game, had previously caused the loss of the ball with an imprecise pass to the center line.

Fabian Schär: Spectacular up front, defensively not as reliable as Akanji

The national coach Murat Yakin seems to have found his World Cup formation. He only made one personnel change for the home game against the Czech Republic after the 2-1 win in Spain on Saturday: Fabian Schär replaced the suspended defender Manuel Akanji. The Swiss were much more vulnerable defensively than in Zaragoza, which was not only due to Schär. He’s a different defender to Akanji, however, with strengths in attack triggering when pacing the field like a sheriff or hitting 50-yard passes – but he’s not quite as reliable.

Schär was strong offensively against the Czechs and in the core area in defense not quite as faulty as the neighbor Nico Elvedi. However, he allowed himself to be lured out of the center from time to time, for example when conceding a goal, and, like his teammates, was not always resolute enough in the duels.

Ricardo Rodriguez: A sure bet – also as a member of the Hundreds Club

Ricardo Rodriguez played his 100th international match against the Czech Republic. He is only the seventh Swiss footballer in the club of 100, and it can be assumed that Rodriguez, who was only 30 a month old, will have a few dozen more appearances. There is still no alternative to him at the back left, the candidates Loris Benito and Ulisses Garcia from YB are not very popular with national coach Murat Yakin.

And Yakin surprisingly did without the versatile Jordan Lotomba for the last international matches. He knows what he has in Rodriguez. The captain of Serie A club Torino was also a safe bet on Tuesday evening, the Czechs were significantly less powerful on his side.

Xherdan Shaqiri: Offensively strong, defensively careless

He’s included in the internationals recaps because Xherdan Shaqiri somehow always stands out. And if he doesn’t stand out, that’s conspicuous enough. Shaqiri prepared the 1-0 against the Czechs through Remo Freuler with a fine cross. It was his 56th scorer point in his 108th international match. In terms of appearances for Switzerland, he is catching up with Stephan Lichtsteiner, ahead of him are only record holders Heinz Hermann (118) and Alain Geiger (112). Shaqiri and Captain Granit Xhaka (106) should soon overtake the two.

It was also noticeable on Tuesday evening that Shaqiri was much less motivated defensively than against the Spaniards last Saturday. Which, among other things, led to the Czechs making a few dangerous attacks on the right side of the Swiss – for example at their goal.

Breel Embolo: Number 1 forward in the national team

For years, Haris Seferovic was set in the Swiss storm center. But Seferovic has yet to score for Benfica and his new club Galatasaray this year. Breel Embolo, on the other hand, is in excellent form, his convincing finish against the Czech Republic 2-0 showing his confidence. At the side of the powerful attacker, Shaqiri and Noah Okafor could form the Swiss storm at the World Cup.

Ruben Vargas replaced the absent Okafor (toothache) in recent days but, like Seferovic, is unlikely to be a regular at the World Cup. That applies anyway to the great talents Zeki Amdouni and Ardon Jashari, who were substituted on by national coach Murat Yakin against the Czech Republic in the final stages. This means that the two dual citizens are locked in Switzerland.