Murat Yakin brings new blood to the Swiss team. The coach summoned four neophytes for friendly matches against Northern Ireland on Thursday (March 21) and Luxembourg (March 25): Alvyn Sanches, Lucas Blondel, Isaac Schmidt and Stefan Gartenmann.
The summons of Sanches (22 years old), which has been shining with Lausanne since the start of the season (11 goals, 4 assists), was expected. That of Blondel, which Murat Yakin went to see Buenos Aires recently played with Boca Juniors had also been mentioned in recent weeks. This 28 -year right side, which has been playing since the start of his career in Argentina, where he was born, also has the Swiss passport by his father.
“We already had it on radar last spring before he was seriously injured in a knee,” said Yakin at a press conference. “We can be lucky to have a player from the country of the world champions. For him, it will also be an important change of culture, but I have no doubt that he is well received in the group.”
The national coach of the Swiss team has left his hat again by calling two other unexpected defenders. He summoned the Vaudois Isaac Schmidt (25), trained in LS and who left Saint-Gall for Leeds and the English second division last summer.
No Servettien
But the most surprising name is that of Stefan Gartenmann (28 years old). This central defender born in Denmark evolves in Hungary in Ferencváros and the Nati coach also went to visit him. He has Thurgovian origins and obtained his Swiss passport on Tuesday.
“He is a robust player, a fighter. He has a real leader profile. I had a very good exchange with him in Budapest,” said Yakin, who did not hesitate to use the term casting to justify the arrival of these four neophytes.
“Yes, we can call it like that. We have four preparation matches in March and June before the start of qualifying for the World Cup in September. This is an opportunity to test different profiles, especially in the absence of certain leaders,” he added.
On the other hand, no Servettien is part of the Swiss selection this time: neither Dereck Kutesa, nor Steve Rouiller was called by Mr. Yakin for the first two matches of the year.
Defense promises to be the big site of the coach by fall. With the feedback from Aurèle amenda, Miro Muheim, Cédric Zesiger and Albian Hajdari and the arrival of the three new ones, seven of the nine rear convened, only accumulated six (!) Selections. Only the unusable Ricardo Rodriguez (125) and Eray Cömert (17) have more than five capes in this first list of the year 2025.
Xhaka and Akanji Absent
As expected, Granite Xhaka, who awaits the birth of his third child, and Manuel Akanji, still injured in adductors, are not present. Neither Ardon Jashari, expected as the replacement for Xhaka halfway. FC Bruges player, hit in the Champions League on Wednesday, was left to rest.
Murat Yakin and his players will fly on Monday for a four -day internship in Portugal, in Faro, before joining Belfast to face Northern Ireland. The duel against Luxembourg will take place in Saint-Gall four days later.
