That was a lesson! After strong performances against top teams such as Australia (1:1) and France (2:1), the Swiss now suffered a bitter 6-0 defeat against Germany in front of a record crowd (17,306 fans).
Pia Sundhage’s team showed a solid first half. The Swiss stood low and parked the bus in front of Elvira Herzog’s gate. The Germans had trouble. But after the top favorites won 2-0, the matter was clear: Switzerland was disheveled. And that’s really true. The winter evening at Letzi turned into a debacle.
Coumba Sow: “We did well in the first half. But then we didn’t take advantage of our chances and conceded the goals.” “We have to take advantage of the few chances we have,” explained Viola Calligaris.
One thing is also clear after the defeat: Captain Lia Wälti was missing in every corner. The Arsenal star’s absence was very visible. Coach Pia Sundhage tried to compensate for Wälti’s absence with a three-man midfield with Coumba Sow, Smilla Vallotto and Sydney Schertenleib. However, that didn’t work.
But Sundhage didn’t want to explain the defeat solely with the absence of Wälti and Ramona Bachmann. When asked about Juve star Alisha Lehmann’s missed opportunities in the first half, she also said: “We lose as a team and win as a team.”
When asked about Wälti and Bachmann in 20 minutes, Calligaris said after the 6-0 debacle: “Important players were missing, yes. But if you don’t conduct the duels correctly, it will be difficult against any opponent.”
Coumba Sow was of the same opinion. She also noticed the lack of top shots. “We know their qualities and they are certainly not easy to replace.” They will certainly be happy when they get back. But she also noted: “There was also room for other players to show themselves.”
Meanwhile, Nadine Riesen said: You can always use female leaders. But it could also be the case that important players are missing at the European Championships. We have to do it then and show good performances.” It is also unclear how the game would have ended with Wälti and Co.
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