Switzerland opened its current training camp and UEFA Nations League campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over North Macedonia in Skopje, managing the absences of captain Granit Xhaka and key striker Breel Embolo. Head coach Murat Yakin’s side controlled the match from the outset, moving the team to within striking distance of their upcoming fixture against Scotland at Hampden Park.
How Switzerland Compensated for Xhaka and Embolo
The Swiss Football Association announced last week that Xhaka would be omitted from the squad for the current camp to ensure the team’s focus remained firmly on the Nations League matches. On the eve of the opener, the Swiss FA revealed that Embolo had informed officials about a private matter concerning his personal life that became public in the media. Embolo was already suspended for the Skopje fixture following a red card against Argentina, and the governing body confirmed the national team would complete the camp without him.
Stepping into the leadership vacuum, midfielder Remo Freuler opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with his first international goal in almost two years. Zeki Amdouni headed a cross into Freuler’s path, allowing the midfielder to fire low into the corner from 15 yards. Amdouni, a Burnley midfielder, followed up with two similar finishes—three minutes before half-time and with just over fifteen minutes remaining—though North Macedonia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski could have done better with the first.
Debutants and Tactical Execution
The match featured several fresh faces stepping into senior roles. Zachary Athekame, a 21-year-old right-back on loan to Lyon from AC Milan, provided both assists on an impressive debut. Parma right-back Sascha Britschgi and Sion striker Winsley Boteli also made their senior debuts coming off the bench, while Milan midfielder Ardon Jashari marshalled the center of the pitch in Xhaka’s absence.
Yakin praised his side’s first-half execution, noting that the shot count stood at 17-1 in favor of the visitors. Switzerland ultimately registered 22 goal attempts with 13 on target, compared to their hosts’ two off-target efforts. The result leaves Switzerland with only one defeat—a 3-1 extra-time loss to Argentina in the World Cup quarter-finals—across their last 10 outings.
Upcoming Fixtures
With the Skopje assignment concluded, the Swiss squad travels to face Scotland at Hampden Park. Xhaka and Embolo will also miss subsequent matches at home against Slovenia on October 3 and North Macedonia three days later, leaving Yakin to rely on the depth of his emerging roster.