Switzerland does not lose, but it does not solve everything

It is already certain that Switzerland will not play in the quarter-finals of the Nations League next March. At best, it will use this date to compete in a promotion-relegation play-off. Because the 2-2 draw that the national team conceded against Denmark on Tuesday in St. Gallen certainly put an end to the series of three consecutive defeats, but it does not help much the situation of Murat’s selection Yakin.

Because Switzerland, even if it obtained its first positive result since the Euro, has not resolved everything. But Murat Yakin at least tried to break out of the constraints imposed on him by the Euro, by returning to a four-man defense, which the Swiss team had never practiced in 2024. A 4-2-3-1 which allowed Fabian Rieder to shine in a supporting role to Breel Embolo. But who also struggled to hide defensive inaccuracies, particularly on the left side where Nico Elvedi and Ulisses Garcia had difficulty stopping the Danish attacks.

Still, it was Switzerland who opened the scoring, through Remo Freuler. At the start of the action to shift Edimilson Fernandes, the Zuricher was also at his finish, to take advantage of a mix-up in the Danish defense and deceive Kasper Schmeichel (26th). A minute later, however, after a foul by Elvedi, Granit The latter, who has still not managed to keep his national team clean sheets, nevertheless made the necessary save in front of Hojlund in the 35th minute.

If the problems have not all been swept away, the question of the penalty seems to have gained clarity. Zeki Amdouni was probably on the list drawn up before the match by Yakin. It was he who was given the ball, after Breel Embolo was the victim of a foul by Dorgu, just before the break. The Genevan mastered the exercise.

However, this defensive passivity needs to be corrected. There is certainly a Swiss desire to be aggressive in a high block, but when the opponent is in possession of the ball, it is another matter. There is a symbol of the second Danish equalizer, when at the end of a long sequence, Skov Olsen could cross and the ball was cleared by Fernandes at the feet of Hojbjerg. Not complicated for the captain of Denmark to shift Christian Eriksen for 2-2 (69th).

Nothing to really reassure yourself about. But at least they still have a chance of not finishing last and avoiding relegation to League B of the Nations League. For now, we will absolutely have to beat Serbia next month in Zurich. And then hope that things turn in the right direction in Spain a few days later. This is what Switzerland is clinging to.