EM drivers and problem kids: these are the winners and losers of the national team tests

Vincent Sierro had to be 28 years old to become a Nati player. But on his debut in red and white, the Toulouse captain impressed alongside Granit Xhaka. “I wanted to have fun and enjoy the game because then I play better,” he said after the 1-0 win in Dublin. Sierro is strong and confident and also exudes calm on the ball.

The Valais resident is one of the winners before the European Championships get serious at the end of May. “He deserves to play from the start,” says Nati coach Murat Yakin (49). “It was a really good fit. With him we have an alternative in the center.” The European Championship would again be a dream come true for Sierro. He gave the jersey from his Nati debut to his brother, who traveled to Copenhagen and Dublin. And what awaits the team? “Maybe I should pay for an appetizer.”

Schär, Shaqiri, Ndoye and Mvogo score

In addition to Sierro and goalscorer Shaqiri, Fabian Schär is also among those who seize the opportunity. The defender confirmed his strong performance in Ireland on Saturday and finally showed again in the national team why he is undisputed in Newcastle. Dan Ndoye and goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo have also probably secured their European Championship ticket these days with two good performances.

Despite the first win since September, not all that glitters was gold in Dublin. The Nati’s problem child is the storm. Goal chances remain scarce – apart from Shaqiri. None of the young wild animals are convincing. Neither Vargas (against Denmark), nor Amdouni. And certainly not Noah Okafor. In Copenhagen, the Milan striker is the weakest Swiss on the field, and he cannot score even in his short appearance in Ireland. When Yakin says that he “demands more from some players when they are in the national team”, he is thinking mainly of Okafor.

Others are also under scrutiny after the first two games of the European Championship year. Eray Cömert does not gather any arguments in Dublin to be part of the European Championship selection. Remo Freuler, who has been in place for years, has not yet found his ideal position in the new 3-4-2-1 system, Silvan Widmer stands out for his lack of rhythm. Uran Bislimi and Cédric Zesiger are the only field players who have not been used and have bad cards in the battle for European Championship tickets.