Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic: Switzerland’s Leading Scorer and Threat Against Spain

Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic, Switzerland’s all-time leading scorer and threat against Spain

The experienced striker is the main player to watch, along with Ramona Bachmann, to maintain Spanish defensive serenity.

Spain are turning the page after the debacle against Japan and are now focusing on Switzerland. Jorge Vilda’s team can forget this heavy defeat thanks to a victory which would allow them to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time in their history.

Anna-Maria Crnogorcevic, who played a large number of minutes in this tournament, is the most important figure in her selection. The Swiss were not excellent in attack, but the two goals scored were enough to put them ahead of Norway, another country qualified.

The player from Steffisburg is characterized by her versatility: she can adapt to all offensive positions and does not hesitate to step back a few meters to occupy the position of full-back. To date, she has played for three clubs: FFC Frankfurt, Portland Thorns and FC Barcelona.

She has already tasted the Champions League twice and played an important role in the rotation of Jonathan Giráldez.

Reunions with several teammates

Crnogorcevic, top scorer in the history of her national team, will face several Culés (Salma Paralluelo, Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí, Mariona Caldentey and, among others, Irene Paredes). The latter, who appeared before the media on Thursday, admitted that she had already spoken to him before the shock of this Saturday.

The centre-back praised her friend’s qualities: “We have a very good relationship and we even do all the exercises together. She is an athlete and a leader. His physical qualities allow him to go from one area to another“.