Switzerland gets the needed 2-0

So, here we are, greeting from the top of the group. We needed a 2-0 and got a 2-0. Now, Switzerland has it in its own hands to win the group and avoid Spain in the next round.

As for the match itself – there are some mixed feelings about it. Obviously the result is perfect. Switzerland started great and used the space given to it in the mid-field. In the first 20 minutes Vogel, Wicky and Cabanas made use of that space again and again. Togo was really only once dangerous – right in the beginning. Then came the goal. A great run by Maginin on the left, a wide cross found Barnetta who made efficient use of his talent with a perfect pass to Frei…who only had to put it in. Which he did this time!

Immediately after the goal, inexplicably, Switzerland started sitting back. I dislike that attitude, especially if the opponent does give you a lot of space. But even worse, we did sit back in a very shaky manner: loosing the ball quickly and unbelievable mistakes in the defence. And this way we started building up Togo, who had several good attempts, luckily only a few good chances – which they all miss. Oh yeah, and a denied penalty. Mueller, who otherwise played a solid game in the central defence, clumsily tried to stop Adebayor. Luckily the Ref didn’t see any wrong doing in it. Pffffff.

Eventually we managed to hold on to the 1-0 lead until the break. Obviously Kobi Kuhn’s words in the break worked – as well did the substitution of Gygax by Hakan Yakin. Immediately after the break, Switzerland started taking control of the game again. Hakan Yakin, lazy as he is in defensive behaviour, started occupying the Togo defensive midfield and the defence. He drew fouls and eventually missed a great chance to put us 2-0 up. In the whole second half Togo remained threatening (especially because of Kader Toure – a very good player who definitely outshined Adebayor so far), but never really came close anymore. Despite another few slip-ups in our defence. Eventually a great pass of the fresh Lustrinelli opened space for Barnetta who crowned his good game with a great goal.

Where does that leave us? On the positive side we definitely have to mention that we scored goals, which is definitely our weakest point. Hakan Yakin fit into the team and brought a breeze into the offensive attempts. To me most surprising positive aspect to me was Kuhn’s guts to switch to a more attacking system in the middle of the second half. I have often criticised Kuhn for playing too conservative with what is a very talented team. This time he showed that he can seek the second goal as well. And we found it. And the last positive aspect is, that we stayed disciplined on the cards side and if I’m not wrong, not one of the 5 players booked in the first game, got a second card this time around.

On the negative side – a shocking game by Senderos. So far, he had a fairly ‘bad’ World Cup anyway – and this after an excellent season with Arsenal. Strange.

Ah well, we’re on top of the group now. A draw will do. A win will let us avoid Spain for sure. And who knows, nobody guarantees that France will beat this talented and willing Togo. Speaking of Togo. Kobi Kuhn said that he knows Togo’s coach Pfister for a long time – and that all the talk about leaving the team, being reinstated, the money talks, boycott talks, etc is all just a show instigated by Pfister in order to have the other teams underestimating Togo. That’s a new and interesting thought.