The Nati was able to raise its head, but still needs to progress

After the frustrating performance against Qatar, the Swiss team had an obligation to react against Bosnia. That’s exactly what she did. Beyond the victory, it is above all the manner which is encouraging. Here are the three main positive lessons, the three areas of progress as well as the expectations for tonight’s match.

1. Decisive changes

We always expect the players who enter during the match to bring a real plus. Against Bosnia, this was the case. The timing of the changes was perfectly mastered by the staff, and the replacements responded immediately. They brought energy, quality and new momentum when the team needed it. This is exactly what you expect from a high-performance bench.

2. Johan Manzambi, confirmation of an expected talent

I talked about it in my last column: Johan Manzambi was this shadow player who was simply waiting for his moment. He grasped it with impressive maturity. His relaxation, his technical accuracy and his efficiency left an impression. He played without complexes, with a lot of personality, as if he had been playing at this level for several years. The most interesting thing is that we have the feeling that this is only the beginning of his story with this selection.

3. Newfound mental strength

This is probably the greatest satisfaction. After the cruel scenario against Qatar, this team could have doubted. On the contrary, it re-mobilized and showed a completely different face against Bosnia. Even more, she remained faithful to her playing identity: continuing to play, seeking to make the difference, without giving in to panic in the last twenty minutes. This mental strength is a very positive signal for the rest of the competition.

1. Kill matches faster

With so much possession and so many chances created, Switzerland must learn to take cover earlier. Dominating is not enough. Against Qatar, the lack of efficiency paid off and, even against Bosnia, the match could have become more complicated than it needed to be. The opportunities are there; we now need to be more realistic.

2. Increased vigilance on crosses and second balls

This is a point that deserves the full attention of the staff. Switzerland conceded a goal from a cross at the end of the match against Qatar, then another against Bosnia following a second consecutive ball from a corner. This type of situation is repeated and can no longer be considered a simple coincidence. Facing even more effective adversaries, these details could be very expensive.

3. Better manage weak times

No team dominates a match for 90 minutes. The difference between good teams and great ones is often their ability to handle tough times. Against Qatar, Switzerland paid a heavy price. Facing Bosnia, it again conceded several dangerous situations. Against nations higher ranked in the FIFA rankings, with more clinical attackers, these moments could turn a match around. It will be necessary to better control transitions, slow down the game when necessary and demonstrate greater collective control.

Expectations for tonight’s game

The match against Bosnia showed a team making progress, capable of reacting after a poor performance and faithful to its playing principles. The objective now is to confirm. If Switzerland maintains this quality in the game while gaining offensive efficiency and defensive solidity in its weak moments, it has all the weapons to continue its progress.

The most encouraging thing undoubtedly remains the state of mind displayed by this group. He exudes real cohesion, a desire to play together and a confidence that grows throughout the meetings. If these ingredients remain present, this team can have great ambitions. The most important thing from now on will be to transform this potential into consistency, because this is often where a team capable of going far is built.