On Saturday, Switzerland recorded an emphatic 6-0 home victory over Iceland to get their Nations League campaign off to a flying start. Whilst Iceland were undeniably poor, the home side were positive, adventurous and utterly clinical. A possession advantage of 63% to Iceland’s 37%, and 21 shots to their opponents’ 3, truly underlines Switzerland’s dominance.
The Swiss got off to a fast start, pulling ahead with less than 15 minutes on the clock, and then didn’t look back as they ran rampant on Saturday evening. The home side will certainly be feeling confident and in fine form ahead of their upcoming friendly with England.
In what was a fine team performance, a few amongst the Switzerland ranks stood out especially. Central to their brilliant display was their star man, Xherdan Shaqiri.
Throughout the 90 minutes, Shaqiri was usually central to everything Switzerland did going forward. His huge involvement in the game is best evidenced by the 94 touches and 61 passes the Liverpool man made in the course of the match. Of all the players on the pitch, only Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka managed more touches than Shaqiri.
As often as the 26-year-old was on the ball though, he was equally effective with it. Only three players – all Swiss – played more than the two key passes executed by Shaqiri. With an excellent pass completion rate of 86.9%, Shaqiri was both aggressive and accurate with his passing. These figures include the two long passes that Shaqiri attempted, both of which found their intended target.
Shaqiri clearly had been given license to roam from his central berth, and often found himself in wide areas. Only one player on the pitch attempted more than the six crosses that Shaqiri fired into the Iceland penalty area. Only one connected with a Swiss teammate, but the amount of deliveries exemplifies just what a thorn he was in the side of the opposition defence throughout the match.
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When he wasn’t looking to pick out his teammates, the former Bayern Munich man was taking on his opponents. Shaqiri completed four dribbles against Iceland, more than anyone else on the pitch, and far more than any of his compatriots managed.
On top of completing the most dribbles, only striker Haris Seferovic attempted more shots on goal than the attacking-midfielder. Of Shaqiri’s four shots, two were on target, and one resulted in the third goal of the match. It was Shaqiri’s 22nd strike for his country, coming on the night he earned his 75th cap.
When England face Switzerland, Shaqiri is the man they must be most wary of. Allowing him room to dictate play and pick holes in the Three Lions’ defence could prove fatal for Gareth Southgate’s men. England ought to take Iceland’s suffering as a warning not to take the threat of Shaqiri – and Switzerland – lightly.
Beyond the England match, Liverpool fans must be hoping that Shaqiri can bring his international form to club level.
