World Cup Qualifying Preview: Switzerland – Greece

Deadlocked at the top, Switzerland host Greece with first place on the line in Group 2...

Sep 4, 2009 8:39:24 PM

More On :  Greece, Switzerland
WCQ: Latvia - Greece / Fanis Gekas - Sotiris Kyrgiakos Vasilis Torosidis (INTIME)
Kick Off: Saturday, September 05, 2009, 20:30 CET.
St. Jakob Park, Basel

Sweet Success

A late strike from Blaise N’kufo saw Greece fall to a rare defeat at home last October, as the Swiss commenced something of a renaissance after a sloppy start to their qualifying campaign. Along with handing Greece their only defeat thus far, the Swiss quickly erased a five-point deficit, and now find themselves in a commanding position to qualify for next summer’s showpiece event.
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In fact, a repeat of the feat achieved in Piraeus nearly a year ago would practically set the Swiss on their way to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. With such high stakes on the line this weekend, Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side will be keen to continue their winning ways.

A scoreless draw with world champions Italy in an international friendly last month extended Switzerland’s unbeaten run to five matches, while ‘keeper Diego Benaglio has yet to concede a goal since being beaten by Greece striker Angelos Charisteas.

While the transition into Hitzfeld’s style of play took some time to settle down in the Swiss camp, there has been no looking back for Switzerland; a trend they’ll be keen to continue this weekend.

Second Chance

Determined to put right their wrongs, Greece travel to Basel with their sights set on maximum points. Despite reaching the podium on the continental stage in 2004, Otto Rehhagel has failed to steer his side to the final stages of a World Cup during his time as coach. A victory on Saturday, however, could propel Greece back to centre stage of international football.

A perfect start to qualifying has quickly vanished, and what was once a wealthy gap atop the group table has shrunk to non-existence. Expected to be clear favourites to progress, Greece have been unable to recapture their zest in recent outings.

Results such as last month’s unfashionable 2-0 loss to Poland have not been welcomed by fans of the national team, and with support already at a premium, Rehhagel’s men are under pressure back home to live up to a winning reputation.

Including the blockbuster clash in Basel, only four more fixtures remain for Greece ahead of the preliminary round’s curtain-call, making positive results all the more important as teams start booking their tickets to South Africa.


FORM GUIDE

Switzerland

Aug 12.  Switzerland 0-0 Italy  (Friendly)
Apr 01.  Switzerland 2-0 Moldova  (WC Qualifier)
Mar 28.  Moldova 0-2 Switzerland (WC Qualifier)
Feb 11.  Switzerland 1-1 Bulgaria  (Friendly)
Nov 19. Switzerland 1-0 Finland  (Friendly)

Greece

Aug 12.  Poland 2-0 Greece  (Friendly)
Apr 01.  Greece 2-1 Israel  (WC Qualifier)
Mar 28.  Israel 1-1 Greece  (WC Qualifier)
Feb 11.  Greece 1-1 Denmark  (Friendly)
Nov 19.  Greece 1-1 Italy  (Friendly)


TEAM NEWS

Switzerland

Switzerland’s 2010 dream has recently been hampered by a string of injuries which will force a reshuffling of the back-line. With Stephan Lichsteiner suspended, problems regarding defence have been compounded through injuries to Valon Behrami and Johan Djourou.

Furthermore, a knock in training makes Stephane Grichting a game-time decision, while a lack of playing time for Philipp Degen and Philippe Senderos on the club scene leaves Hitzfeld in search of alternatives at the back. Meanwhile, a knee injury forces striker Marco Streller to miss out.

Possible Starting XI – (4-4-2): Diego Benaglio; Alain Nef, Philippe Senderos, Stephane Grichting, Ludovic Magnin; Tranquillo Barnetta, Gokhan Inler, Marco Padalino, Gelson Fernandes; Alexander Frei, Blaise N’kufo.

Greece

Playmaker Giorgos Karagounis will miss the crucial match through an injury picked up in Panathinaikos FC’s recent Super League win over Ergotelis. The influential midfielder joins Vasilis Torosidis of Olympaikos on the sidelines, while Portsmouth’s Angelos Basinas and free agent Giourkas Seitaridis missed out on a call-up this time around.

Instead, youngsters such as Sotiris Ninis and Grigoris Makos return to the international fold, and after solid outings with Panathinaikos and AEK Athens respectively, both could be in line to feature for the visitors.

Possible Starting XI – (4-3-3): Kostas Chalkias; Loukas Vyntra, Sotiris Kyrgiakos, Avraam Papadopoulos, Nikos Spyropoulos; Kostas Katsouranis, Sotiris Ninis, Alexandros Tziolis; Theofanis Gekas, Ioannis Amanatidis, Giorgos Samaras.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alexander Frei (Switzerland)

A regular at St. Jakob after signing with FC Basel 1893 this summer, Alexander Frei will look to give the home-crowd something to cheer about. The veteran talisman has netted four times during Switzerland’s qualifying campaign, and another could see the captain lead his side to another World Cup Finals appearance in due time.

Giorgos Samaras (Greece)

While the rest of the Greek team came out flat in last month’s friendly with Poland, Giorgos Samaras was the only player who wasn’t a burden on the eyes. The Celtic striker has shown signs of maturity lately, and after netting for his club this past weekend, the tall striker will be keen to do the same for his country on Saturday.

 
PREDICTION

Both teams are in the mood to assume control of the group, and ultimately their own destiny. While the Greeks will be missing an important piece to the puzzle, and the Swiss are to be backed by a vocal home crowd, both sides will finish level-pegging at the final whistle – a result that gives Greece a slight edge heading into the final stretch of qualification.

Switzerland 1-1 Greece

Peter Katsiris, Goal.com
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