FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Switzerland have enough fire-power

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Switzerland have emerged as an electrifying team in FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. They will begin the championship campaign by playing host New Zealand and will meet Norway, and the Philippines in the World Cup Group A. By winning eight games and losing only one match, they emerged at the top of the second-placed teams and thus qualified for the play-off stage.

They beat Wales 1-0 in the play-off stage. Earlier, La Nati have played in the FIFA World Cup only once in 2015, when Canada knocked them out of the Round of 16. Besides, they could get only one point in the 2022 Euro Cup and were knocked out in the group stage.

Switzerland have a very good goalkeeper as 37-year-old Gaele Thalmann is one of the most experienced goalkeepers with more than 100 matches. The Real Betis star has defended the Swiss goalpost valiantly in the tournament. Levante player Livia Peng should be the backup goalkeeper.

Swiss manager Inka Grings is most likely to stick to four defenders instead of experimenting at this stage. Her trusted lieutenant Noelle Maritz has 102 caps and she is sure to be on the right back. She will depend on Luana Buhler and Viola Calligaris for the center-back positions.

Calligaris can also fit in right-back. Julia Stierli can join Buhler in defense if Maritz has any problem. Eseosa Aligbogun is a choice for the left-back position, but FC Zurich defender Nadine Riesen may be opted for instead.

Arsenal’s Lia Walti is most likely to lead the Swiss midfield, where Geraldine Reuteler will complement her. The Eintracht Frankfurt player has scored 11 goals in 53 appearances on the national team. As far as the left flank is concerned, Switzerland has two options- Seraina Piubel and Coumba Sow.