Can Mayer outperform Genoni?: The big goalkeeping question for the quarter-finals of the World Cup

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In the run-up to the quarter-finals against Germany, there is no doubt that this country has all the skills and strengths to progress to the semi-finals. Confidence, resilience, offensive qualities and defensive stability. So the key question is: which keeper will get between the posts?

Reflexively one connects to Leonardo Genoni. Who else? The 35-year-old has been THE goalkeeper of recent years and was ranked number 1 above the competition. The seven-time champion goalkeeper made the decision easy for the national coach.

That the Germans spit big sounds, rolls off Mayer

But now Robert Mayer comes into play. The 33-year-old won the match of all matches a month ago – the seventh final match against Biel. Mayer enchanted Servette to the title. He exudes confidence. That the Germans spit loud sounds rolls off him.

Both keepers have performed flawlessly in this World Cup tournament so far and have won their three group matches. A challenging situation for national coach Patrick Fischer. “Robert and Leo are in an incredibly good mood. Not only in terms of performance, but also mentally they are in the right place. They are relaxed and happy.”

In fact, Mayer presented himself in such a way that Fischer should at least consider using him. “So there will definitely be some conversation in the coaching staff. But that’s a nice problem,” says Fischer. “Both are winners and know how to win important games.”

Only: if you look at the past and the last World Cup quarter-finals, it is striking that after 2018 all three were lost – with Genoni in goal (see box).

When asked, the head coach puts things into perspective: “You can’t blame Leo for the lost quarter-finals. We gave the games away and didn’t take them home. Leo has won many more crucial games than lost in his career.” The question is whether this balance affects the mind game?

Genoni has the silver bonus

It’s a key point. When Fischer appeals to Genoni and Switzerland flies out against Germany, this accusation suggests that the goalkeeper has already lost the three quarter-finals. But if Fischer takes Mayer – for example, given that this strong team is going to win the neighborhood derby and Genoni is then ready for the big games of the weekend – and the national team loses, then this goalkeeping decision will also be called into question.

But because numbers are a gimmick, this statement should not be withheld: Genoni enchanted the Nati to World Cup silver in 2018 and thus in the year in which he last failed to become Swiss champion. In subsequent years, he won the trophy – but lost the last knockout match at the World Cup. You know: Genoni was far away from the cup with EVZ this year…

Source : Blick