Who is one of the winners and where there is still work to be done: This is how the first ten days of Sundhage went

The first team together under the new Nati coach Pia Sundhage (64) ends with the 0-1 defeat in the second test match against Poland. Where the Swede’s handwriting can already be seen, who made the biggest impression in southern Spain and what happens next for the national team until the European Championship at home – the most important questions and answers after the first ten days under Sundhage.

After a disappointing 2023 with only ten goals in sixteen games, Sundhage wants to focus on attacking football. The Swede’s game idea is already clearly visible in the first two games. Sundhage will rely on a 4-2-3-1 system in the long term. In addition, the new national coach has initiated a generational change. She has called up a total of eleven players under the age of 21 for the national team camp in Marbella.

As can be seen from the second match against the Poles (0:1), the national team continues to struggle against defensive teams. Sundhage wants her attacking players to move more without the ball and thus create space. This should make it easier to create clear scoring opportunities. The second problem that the Nati coach wants to tackle: defense in standard situations. After one of these, the only goal was conceded in the second test match: 0-1.

The youth. With Sidney Schertenleib (17), Alena Bienz (20), Leela Egli (17) and Lia Kamber (18), four young talents make their international debut. Schertenleib in particular left her mark on the match on her debut in the first test against Poland. This also applies to other young players such as Alayah Pilgrim (20), Aurélie Csillag (21) and Noemi Ivelj (17), who all contributed to a goal in the 4-1 win.

There aren’t any yet. “Every player who was part of this meeting can make it to the European Home Championship,” Sundhage said. Of the 28 players in the squad, 26 will be used in the two matches in Poland. Only the third goalkeeper Noemi Benz (20) and replacement Naomi Mégroz (25) remain without playing minutes. However, Sundhage has hinted that goalkeeper gem Benz could make her debut the next time they meet.

Nati record scorer Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (33) hoped to take on a more attacking role in the Nati again after the departure of Inka Grings. But after just two games it is clear: Pia Sundhage also plans to use the Atlético player as a right back.

Although Switzerland, as host, already has the ticket for the home European Championship, the national team will still participate in the European Championship qualifying from April. This is held analogously to the Nations League. The opponents that the Swiss will face in their group of four in League B will be drawn on March 5. Winning the group would mean promotion to League A.