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The Nations League game between Spain and Switzerland is no longer about anything in terms of sport. Nevertheless, the national team wants to show its good side.
After the 1-1 draw against Serbia on Friday in Zurich, the Swiss national team’s relegation was already sealed before the game against European champions Spain. Will the trip to the holiday island of Tenerife, where the duel will take place on Monday evening, turn into a beach holiday?
Giorgio Contini, who represented the flu head coach Murat Yakin at the media conference before the game on Sunday evening, vehemently contradicts this. You are always motivated against the reigning European champions anyway. In addition, the game is a good opportunity for those players who have not always been first choice recently to present themselves – especially with a view to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
The possible setups
Spain: Remiro; Mingueza, Paredes, Cubarsi, Grimaldo; Married, Fabian Ruiz, Pedri; Nico Williams, Omorodion, Pino.
Switzerland: Kobel; Fernandes, Comert, Hajdari, Muheim; Xhaka, Sierro; Rieder, Amdouni, Kutesa; Okafor.
Remarks: Spain without Le Normand, Carvajal, Yamal and Rodri (all injured), among others. Switzerland, among others, without Elvedi, Amenda (both injured), Jashari (ill) and Embolo (suspended).
Yakin and Contini want to find the right mix between established forces and players with new ideas. There will be some changes compared to the last starting eleven, but they don’t want to completely turn the team upside down. “We don’t ask ourselves who we want to spare, but rather who we absolutely need on the pitch,” said Contini. Contini evaded specific personnel questions, but he let it be known that the team would operate in the same system as last, a 4-2-3-1.
Chance for Hajdari?
However, it is clear that Yakin will be forced to change again compared to his last appearances:
- With Breel Embolo missing, the regular striker is blocked. Players like Andi Zeqiri or Noah Okafor could use this to present themselves as viable replacements. Joël Monteiro and Dereck Kutesa, who came on as substitutes against Serbia on Friday and brought a breath of fresh air into the offensive, are also likely to be options for the starting eleven.
- There will also be another change in defense as Aurèle Amenda is out due to a bruised knee. This may be why another 21-year-old, Albian Hajdari, will have the chance to show his worth from the start.
Despite all the changes, a positive result remains the most important goal, says Contini. They have proven time and again in the past that the Swiss can challenge the Spanish. The last victory was only two years ago. He also succeeded in the Nations League and also away. Switzerland won 2-1 in Zaragoza.
TV note
You can follow the national team’s final Nations League game in Spain on Monday from 8:00 p.m. on SRF two and in the live stream on srf.ch/sport. The game starts at 8:45 p.m.
You can also follow the game live on the radio on SRF 3.
Nati in draw pot 1
The duel with “La Roja” will be the last competitive game of the year and the last before qualifying for the 2026 World Cup begins. This begins for the national team in March or June of the coming year. Depending on the size of the qualifying group, Switzerland will have one or two test matches before the start of the World Cup campaign.
Which teams Yakin’s team will face in the World Cup qualification will be determined in the draw on December 13th. It is already clear that Switzerland will be pulled out of Pot 1 and will thus avoid its strongest opponents.
First Question: What strategies will Switzerland employ to capitalize on the absence of key players in the Spanish lineup?
Interviewer: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to another edition of our World-Today News interview series. Tonight, we have two special guests with us, Coach Giorgio Contini from the Swiss National Team and a Spanish football expert Pedro Villalobos, here to discuss the upcoming Nations League match between Spain and Switzerland. Coach Contini, let’s start with you. You mentioned that this game is not just about sport anymore, but how do you and the team plan to approach the game against the European champions?
Coach Contini: The game against Spain will be a great opportunity for us to show our best side, despite the fact that our relegation has already been sealed. We will use this match as a stepping stone for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers. This match is an opportunity for those players who have not always been first choice to show their worth and impress the coach for future selections. We understand that Spain is a top-class team, but we have proven in the past that we can challenge them and hope to put up a good fight tomorrow.
Interviewer: Pedro, what is your take on this? Do you think Switzerland has any chance of winning against Spain, especially with so many key players like Rodri and Carvajal missing from their lineup?
Pedro Villalobos: It’s never easy to predict a match in football, especially when it comes to national teams. The Swiss have shown in the past that they have the potential to compete with Spain. However, it’s true that they will be missing some key players, but it also opens up an opportunity for other players to step up and perform. Spain will also be without some key players due to injury, but we have a strong squad and I’m confident that we can put on a good show tomorrow.
Interviewer: Coach Contini, you mentioned that there will be some changes in the starting lineup. Can you give us some insights into how you plan to mix up the team’s formation and personnel?
Coach Contini: Yes, we will be making some changes, but they won’t be drastic. We want to find the right balance between experienced players and those with fresh ideas. We have some young and talented players who can make a difference tomorrow, like Noah Okafor and Alb
