Switzerland – Portugal Preview

Some facts about Switzerland’s last Euro 2008 game while you go ahead and thank Kuhn for all he’s done.

1. Kuhn’s last game as Switzerland coach
Kuhn, the first coach to lead Switzerland to three consecutive tournaments, will leave the job to legend Ottmar Hitzfeld following the Portugal game. His tally? 73 games with 31 wins, 18 draws and 23 defeats. An overall excellent one! It’s the time to say Ade and Tschuss to his players and let’s all hope he will leave with a BANG!

At the press conference in Feusisberg the coach said: ” You always feel some form of a tension at the beginning of a game, but this is not worse than other times. The end of my career as Swiss coach will be on Sunday after 90 minutes. But not before! I’m not thinking about it yet.”

The fans “deserve a win. We want to show great things on the pitch and also to have Switzerland win their first game in Euro history. I’m confident, the players have the right attitude at the latest training sessions.”

2. Zuberbuehler’s last game
We had a feeling that it could occur. But now it’s confirmed, Pascal Zuberbuehler “the wall” at the World Cup 2006, will be in the starting line-up in today’s game against Portugal. His last game with Switzerland, his 51st in his long international career will be the right way for the 37-year old to bid farewell to the “Nati”. For the Swiss fans “I will give everything” he said, “they deserve a win today.”
Zuberbuehler had celebrated his first game on the 6th of September 1994 in a Switzerland-United States game.

3. Attack Issues?
With Frei and Streller on the sidelines and Derdiyok recovering an ankle injury following the Turkey game how will Switzerland pose a threat to the Portuguese goal? Latest news is that the young Basel striker should be available. Barnetta’s weak physical condition might ensure an early start for Johan Vonlanthe who, together with Yakin and Derdiyok, represents all the attack Switzerland can afford to spare.

4. Possible formation? Surprises etc.?
I’m sorry lads, don’t expect Grichting, Gygax, Huggel and Cabanas on the pitch from the start. As much as you can feel for them, this is no friendly! Switzerland HAS to win. Kuhn has revealed that he has the intention of keeping the same team that played against Turkey with few exceptions, the latter being only represented by Benaglio and Barnetta on the bench for Zuberbuehler and Vonlanthen.

Possible starting-11:
Zuberbühler; Lichtsteiner, Müller, Senderos, Magnin; Behrami, Inler, Gelson, Vonlanthen; Yakin; Derdiyok.

The Portuguese might have a bit of a turn-over, an opportunity for the younger ones to shine and for some people (Ricardo) to get some redemption.

Ricardo; Miguel, Bruno Alves, Meira, Ribeiro; Miguel Veloso; Meireles, Deco; Quaresma, Nani; Hugo Almeida.

5. Not many people will be watching this
Considering the thriller, possible-penalty ending Turkey – Czech Rep. game, I might be one of the few watching this one. It appears to have a meaning for the Swiss alone.
HONOUR AND DIGNITY to wash away regrets for a tournament that SHOULD have gone differently.

Statistics are not comforting though:
The Swiss have won eight and drawn five of their 19 meetings with Portugal but their last victory was 26 years ago. Portugal won the last meeting 1-0 in 1993.