Scouting Switzerland

Ranked 8th in the FIFA rankings, Switzerland qualified for Brazil among the first seeds, avoiding the most powerful, big sides, with only France as a big name in their Group, which they also share with Ecuador and Honduras. They were unbeaten in the UEFA qualifying group with seven wins and three draws, notching 17 goals for and just six goals against.

The 23-man Squad

Gk – Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg)

Gk – Roman Buerki (Grasshopper)

Gk – Yann Sommer (Basel)

Def – Johan Djourou (Hamburg)

Def – Michael Lang (Grasshopper)

Def – Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus)

Def – Ricardo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg)

Def – Fabian Schär (Basel)

Def – Philippe Senderos (Valencia)

Def – Steve Von Bergen (Swiss Young Boys)

Def – Reto Ziegler (Sassuolo)

Mid – Tranquillo Barnetta (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Mid – Valon Behrami (Napoli)

Mid – Blerim Dzemaili (Napoli)

Mid – Gelson Fernandes (Freiburg)

Mid – Goekhan Inler (Napoli)

Mid – Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich)

Mid – Valentin Stocker (Basel)

Att – Josip Drmić (Nuremberg)

Att – Mario Gavranovic (Fc Zurich)

Att – Admir Mehmedi (Freiburg)

Att – Haris Seferovic (Real Sociedad)

Att – Granit Xhaka (Borussia Monchengladbach)

Likely line up

———————— Benaglio ————————-
Lichsteiner —- Schär —- Bergen —- Rodríguez
———- Behrami —– Xhaka —– Inler ————

Shaqiri —————– Drmić ————— Stocker

Ones to watch

Lichsteiner – A fans’ favorite from Italian Champions Juventus, the 30-year-old right-back has nine goals and 12 assists for the Old Lady since he joined from Lazio.With 60 caps and four goals for Switzerland he’s one of their most experienced players and will provide great runs from deep in the right flank.

Shaqiri – Speed and ability personified, unfortunately lacks playing time for Bayern because of the likes of Robben, Ribery, Muller and Gotze. The 22-year-old only got 90 minutes two times this season, but with a total of 17 appearances in the Bundesliga, most of which were short cameos, he still managed to score six goals and to create 25 chances. He’ll be the Switzerland star of the tournament.

Young prospect

Not a matter of age but a matter of experience since most of the squad are in their early 20’s, both Schär and Drmić together share only 10 caps.

Schär – 22 years old with only five caps and already with three goals, this centre-back offers plenty of aerial threat. Will not remain at Basel for much longer.

Drmić – Unable to save Nurnberg from relegation this striker still got 17 goals and created 34 chances in Bundesliga. Only 21, has has just signed a five year deal with Bayer Leverkusen. For Switzerland he has  five caps and has scored two goals.