Chronicle of a defeat foretold

England-Switzerland 2-1

… big deal.

We were wont to make an appearance, we were wont to bow before the might of the “Capellian” England, the “Inghilterra Friulana” as the Gazzetta dello Sport named it. Yet we didn’t concede a defeat for mere display of the talents of others.
Satisfied by the talents showcased by Benaglio (a series of impressive saves and confidence), the enthusiasm and brilliant goal by young prodigy Derdiyok we showed England that Switzerland even during a friendly, with so many players out for various reasons (Frei, Streller, Wicky, Cabanas) is a good team, a darn good team.

Our only uncertainty, that concerning our goalkeeper, seems to fade from the mists that surrounded Zuberbuehler’s poor games and Benaglio’s previous inexperience. The move to Wolfsburg seems to have favoured the latter!

The likes of Rooney, Crouch, Joe Cole and Wright-Phillips are sufficient to make any professional defender uncomfortable and thus Behrami, Grichting and even Senderos made me anxious yesterday evening. N’Kufo, Vonlanthen and Gygax were seemingly inexistent which proves that we need a world-class striker like Frei back. But the discovery of such a young personality like Derdiyok might helps us alleviate the blushes of an insufficiently mustered attacking troupe.

The midfield is always satisfying: Inler, Gelson Fernandes, Barnetta and Yakin will almost certainly taste the turf of that feverish tournament back in our homeland, in June 2008. And what personality these four do have! If Barnetta is not always blowing up the net of some unfortunate goalkeeper, he knows how to hold the team together and prove to be an excellent captain! Inler and Gelson Fernandes who, unlike experienced Hakan Yakin, are at the beginning of their hopeful career are the foundations upon which Switzerland can build up a bright future!

Capello, despite restraining from lavishing us with compliments, chose to single out Benaglio’s excellent game, which might give Lazio some regrets to not having bought him in January. Kuhn, despite the defeat, appreciated Switzerland’s mettle and desire to hold on to the game, to avoid a humiliation (a realistic one, considering England badly needed a win to start a new era) and in the end a 2-1 is a fair score (although one can hold regrets for the last seconds of the game where quicker reflexes could have handed us a 2-2).
I was fairly pleased with the game, but again it was a chronicle of a defeat foretold. Now for our next three friendly games:

26.03.2008 Switzerland – Germany (Basel)
24.05.2008 Switzerland – Slovakia (Lugano)
30.05.2008 Switzerland – Liechtenstein (St. Gallen)

A few facts
1. The usually admirable English crowd booed at every single Swiss player’s name. Maybe because we’re at Euro 2008 and they aren’t?
2. Tickets for the game were sold at 6 pounds for the cheapest places. Not expensive at all.
3. A French-speaking Swiss Journalist said that Wembley is like the Stadium of Geneva. True, except for the 50,000 places less.
4. 90% of the Swiss public agreed with Benaglio in the starting line-up. Let the young rule!
5. Barnetta said he’ll recount this magical evening to his grand-children someday. Honestly I hope he’ll recount the win at the final of Euro 2008!