“We returned quite quickly by train, from Cologne to Stuttgart, after the victory over Hungary. There was a stop for a few minutes in the open countryside, but we were in our hotel by 10:15 p.m. Saturday evening. Happy, serene. It’s a victory, and it’s a very good start for Switzerland. But this is only the beginning.”
Double meaning of the last sentence, which above all expresses the humility of Vincent Sierro and the Swiss team, but which almost suggests a promise. “This is only the beginning”, this perhaps also means that there will be a story, that this beginning is a genesis.
At 28 years old, brilliant and captain in Toulouse, Vincent Sierro is an important element of the Swiss selection. There is a lot of competition in the middle, a sector where Xhaka of course and Freuler are in place. Where Zakaria is expected. Where Aebischer seized his chance brilliantly on Saturday.
But when you need to call on him, don’t hesitate. Against Hungary, it was he who replaced Freuler at the end of the match. For around ten minutes with stoppage time. It was perfect.
“I’m here to help,” he noted. For five minutes, for ten minutes, for more. I was very happy to do it against Hungary. In the stadium, there was my family, my girlfriend, friends. I was able to talk with them for about twenty minutes after the match. It was good.”
Simplicity, serenity. Like this rediscovered Switzerland. And despite the small scares in the second half, with the Hungarians back at 2-1. “In a match, there are always strong moments and weak moments,” recalls Sierra. But we remained calm. This shows the strength and maturity of the group. There is a real team spirit and that is important when we live together for a long time, in a tournament.
Anything that will be useful later. It’s Scotland, Wednesday evening, in the same stadium, in Cologne. “We expect a reaction from the Scots,” he assures. After the 5-1 against Germany, they will want to show something else, this match is important. For us. For them too.”
