“When Yakin called, I got dizzy”

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During the World Cup in Qatar, Dominik Schmid (25), still in the SFV shirt, feverishly watches the national team in front of the television. Three months later, the defending champion is part of the SFV selection that took place in Novi Sad, Serbia, against Belarus in the European Championship on Saturday, qualifying starts.

The appointment comes as a surprise. When Murat Yakin called Schmid on Thursday during a sports medical examination, Schmid gasped. “It was a shock. I was shaking and a little dizzy,” says Schmid with a laugh. With the team for the A-Nati, a childhood dream comes true for him.

vacancy on the left

Schmid played his last game in an SFV jersey for the U21 four years ago, after which he disappeared from the radar. At FC Basel he does not break through, he is loaned to Lausanne and Wil before joining GC in the summer of 2020. In Zurich he grits his teeth, becomes a mainstay of the team and today even wears the captain’s armband when Amir Abrashi is not on the pitch. Schmid earned his team with consistently strong performances in the second half of the season, where he was one of the best in every game in the standings.

Schmid also wants to play his strengths – speed and perseverance – in the national team. “In defense I can certainly learn a lot from the experienced players.” Schmid agrees that the SFV is not exactly blessed with many strong full-backs, Ricardo Rodriguez has been on the left for years, but behind them the race for number 2 is launched.

Schmid wants to seize his chance. “I will not hide and show what I can do,” he said after the first training with the national team on the FCB campus. He takes what comes. “But of course I also want to play.” The first chance comes on Saturday when Switzerland starts the campaign against Belarus in Novi Sad.

Lots of old friends

When asked about the biggest difference between the club and the SFV roster, Schmid says: “Everyone on the GC campus knows me, not here yet.” He will need a few more days to adjust. “But that’s one of my great strengths.”

One of his best friends is Eray Cömert. Both grew up in Rheinfelden and have known each other for 15 years. They played together at FCB and in the U21 national team.

Renato Steffen, Michael Lang and Manuel Akanji were also Schmid’s teammates at FC Basel. He knows his colleagues from the Super League as opponents, he also played with Cédric Zesiger and Ruben Vargas in the U21’s. That’s another reason why Schmid feels comfortable in the circle of national stars. “I was well received from the first second.” He came to stay.

Source : Blick