EURO 2020 Qualifier Preview: Republic of Ireland -v- Switzerland

• Andrew Dempsey
• Wed, Sep 04 2019




REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

The Boys in Green will be looking to enhance their grip on pole position in Group D of the European qualifiers when they welcome Switzerland to the Aviva Stadium on Thursday evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

Mick McCarthy’s side head into the Thursday evening showdown having picked up an encouraging ten points out of a possible 12 on offer so far.

However, there will be concerns with the manner of the victory against Gibraltar in June – an unconvincing two-nil win over the Gibraltarians that was only secured late on thanks to a 93^rd minute header from Robbie Brady.

McCarthy will be also forced to contend without the availability of the quartet of Sean Maguire, James McCarthy, Keiren Westwood and Matt Doherty – all ruled out with injury.  

However, the trio of Kieren O’Hara, Cyrus Christie and James Collins have all been called up in place of the unavailable quartet.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference, McCarthy admits that he is hoping to target a perceived vulnerability from the Swiss at set-piece scenarios.

"It's a real plus for us (to have good deliveries from set-pieces). Alan Judge put in a great delivery for big Duffer, Conor scored his goal.

"He has delivery with his left foot, we've got people who can attack it - we can be a threat from free-kicks and corners.”

The Swiss conceded from two set-piece scenarios from their most recent draw against Denmark – when it looked certain they would grab all three points.

He added; “The first goal was a free-kick put into the box - I'd be looking at that thinking the centre-backs should have cleared it. It ends up at 3-1 and suddenly the mood changes, they get nervous.

“The Danish team scored a great goal then, passed their way through them, the right-back played them onside which is a mistake. There are always mistakes involved if you get a goal.

“Third goal, when it was 3-2, there was a bit of panic there. The ball was in the air a long time, I thought there were a few missed challenges and it ended up in their box. It was carnage all around.

“They must look at it and wonder how they conceded three goals. But it happens unfortunately. Balls start getting put into the box, it bounces around, people miss headers, clearances and it ended up in the back of the net.

“They took the captain off to a standing ovation, it looked like they were going to win, and it ends up 3-3. They must have been scratching their heads.”

SWITZERLAND

Switzerland will be hoping to show that they will be unaffected by the much publicised withdraw of star man Xherdan Shaqiri when they face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in a crunch Euro Qualifier.

However, the Swiss have been hit by a raft of other withdrawals, with the unavailability of Stephan Lichtsteiner, and Premier League duo Timm Klose and Josip Drmic, both of newly promoted Norwich City.

Steven Zuber of VfB Stuttgart also misses out as does Eintracht Frankfurt’s Djibril Sow who are regular players in Vladimir Petkovic’s squad.

Speaking during his press conference on Wednesday afternoon at the Aviva Stadium, Petkovic noted that it is not just the loss of Shaqiri that he is worried about.

“It’s not only Shaqiri missing, there are also other players, like Zuber, like Drmic who are not here,” he said.

“But we have shown in the past that we can handle that and win without important players.

“There is no anxiety because Shaqiri is missing. We are used to replacing missing players, even Shaqiri.

“Since the draw, we have known that this was one of the key games in this qualification, but it won’t be decisive.”

Combative Arsenal holding midfielder Granit Xhaka added; “We want to take all three points, because the table will look a little bit better afterwards.”

“These players are missing, but we have other players who can compensate for their absence. We know we can win games without these players.

“This Irish team is physically quite strong, but we will find a solution to combat that.”

Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande (Spain).

 

MATCH STATS

The Republic of Ireland have only been beaten once by Switzerland on Irish soil, with a damaging two-one defeat at the old Lansdowne Road venue in 2002

Vladimir Petkovic’s Swiss side have picked up four points from their opening two group games, with a draw at home to Denmark coming after a two-nil victory away to Georgia in Tbilisi.

To find Ireland’s last competitive win over Switzerland, you need to go all the way back to 1985 where the Boys in Green secured a comfortable three-nil win over the Swiss at Lansdowne Road. Frank Stapleton, Tony Grealish and Kevin Sheedy all got on the scoresheet for Ireland on that occasion.

1985 also marks the last time a League of Ireland played a competitive game for the Republic of Ireland. Pat Byrne of Shamrock Rovers was the player in question who the most recent domestic player was to don the green shirt in a competitive game.   

BETTING

Republic of Ireland 11/4; Draw 2/1; Switzerland EVENS.

PREDICTION

Republic of Ireland 2 - 1 Switzerland

 

Republic of Ireland

Injured: Kieren Westwood, Matt Doherty, Sean Maguire.

Doubtful: None.

Unavailable: James McCarthy.

Suspended: None.

 

Switzerland

Injured: Timm Klose, Steven Zuber, Djibril Sow, Josip Drmic.

Doubtful: None.

Unavailable: Xherdan Shaqiri, Stephan Lichtsteiner.

Suspended: None.