How to get past Ukraine?!

So, here we are – tonight is the biggest match for Swiss footall in more than a decade. And as it is Ukraine’s first appearance on the World stage, this goes both ways around. I reckon, after all the moaning and whinging by the Koreans, we will see a match and a result that both fan sides can accept – as we’re both glad to be here!

What lies ahead of tonight? First off all, as many probably know, our hero against Korea, Philippe Senderos is out of the WC. He dislocated his shoulder and will be out at least 4 weeks. That’s not good for him and Switzerland. However, as strange as it may sound, we might very well have a replacement for Senderos: Johann Djourou. Djourou has at least the same talent as Senderos, a fact that the Arsenal spies have spotted a long time ago. He has played for the national tea before and delivered a world class performance in the warm-up friendly against Italy. Now, obviously, he’s only 19 and definitely has not the experience of a Senderos (haha, who is 21!). He’s going to be up against Europe’s best striker. There you have a way to start your international career! Hopefully Mueller will pick up his game again (Great against Togo, insecure against Korea) and give the youngster some support.

Given this ‘insecurity factor’ in the central defense, I woulnd’t be surprised if we’d see Spycher again instead of Magnin. Which would really be a shame, as Magnin is a crucial factor in our game forward. I think, with Vogel playing a error-free WC so far, we could put the responsibility on him to see that Shevshenko doesn’t see a ball and let Magnin rush forward on the side.

The other big question is, how we’re going to play up-front. Frei is obviously set. The most attacking possibility would be Frei – Streller – Yakin or Frei – Gygax – Yakin. I think, we’re going to play with one striker only, as Barnetta and Yakin are both offensively oriented already.

We shall see what Kuhn has in mind. So far he surprised the public and the media at each game with his line-up. And obviously the opponents as well. What does he have in store to upset Ukraine?

I’m looking forward to tonight and hope for a good game. May the better team win!