2020 European Qualifying Group D: Switzerland v Republic of Ireland (tonight, Stade de Geneve 7.45pm)
WELCOME to Stade de Geneve where the Swiss are expected to face a big, green human wall strung out across the 18-yard line.
At last night’s press conference, Mick McCarthy insisted he would “try and win the game”, but he’d be “delighted” with a draw.
The permutations in Group D would fry a nerd’s head.
Put simply, an Ireland win tonight would seal their place at next summer’s Euro 2020 finals.
A draw would do serious damage to Switzerland’s qualification prospects because should the last rounds of fixtures in the group go to form, it would leave Denmark already qualified before they travel to Dublin.
The Republic still need to beat either the Swiss or the Danes – but the task would be more achievable against a team that has already qualified and in that scenario the Swiss would be bumped out of the picture due to their head-to-head record against Denmark.
“We’ll approach it trying to win it,” said McCarthy.
“It’s far from a free shot. We’ll approach it as we would have approached it before, and try to win the game.”
McCarthy undoubtedly has a lot to ponder ahead of tonight’s Swiss clash. Where to start?
‘Can 35-year-old Glenn Whelan play two competitive internationals in four days?’
McCarthy replied: “I think if you ask that question directly to him he might punch you on the nose. He's been remarkable and he is a model pro and a really good athlete who looks after himself and if he plays tomorrow, it'll not be a problem.”
And will he retain Matt Doherty? Possibly on Ireland’s right side and restore Enda Stevens to left back, giving more balance to the back line?
And given the noisy clamour for Aaron Connolly to start in Geneva following the teenager’s impressive cameo appearance in Tbilisi, it looks as though the country and the player himself will get their wish.
James Collins would appear to have the physicality to match the imposing Swiss centre backs but the Luton Town striker lacked mobility against the Georgians and the ball didn’t stick enough either to warrant him leading the attack tonight.
Callum Robinson hasn’t delivered in his last two competitive outings – against Switzerland (h) and Georgia (a) – although the Sheffield United striker could argue he’s a better central striker than a right-sided midfielder.
Clearly, Connolly needs a wing man.
McCarthy’s renowned loyalty means that Collins or Robinson could yet be retained if only as a foil for Connolly to do his thing.
The alternative is for Connolly to push up and try to get down the sides of Switzerland’s defensive trio of Fabian Schar, Nico Elvedi and Manuel Akanji with Alan Browne or possibly Jeff Hendrick given licence to get close to the young Brighton star.
The Ireland manager gave the clearest signal yet that Connolly will be promoted to the starting line-up for the first time in his fledgling international career.
“I don't think there is [a risk in playing Connolly]. He's now made his debut. He had a cameo and did well in it and I think he will be feeling comfortable about himself, so no, I don't think it would be a risk at all to start him.”
McCarthy disagreed with his managerial adversary Vladimir Petkovic who believes tonight’s clash is effectively a “cup final” but the Ireland boss was still miffed by some negative commentary in the aftermath of last Saturday night’s scoreless draw in Georgia.
“I just keep getting messages from people saying ‘F the begrudgers!’ and I keep thinking what’s going on.
“Seriously, what’s going on? I haven’t sensed that at all, it’s just a few text messages I got.
“And I didn’t want to text them back and ask what’s going on. I just don’t get a feeling the fact that we are within a win of qualifying… There is no sense of anticipation or excitement and there should be.
“I’ve been asked if it is a cup final? No, but I’m excited about it. I’m excited about the prospect of winning. If there is negativity going around, my mates who I’ve got five or six text messages off are either reading it or hearing it.
“I don’t get the sense in here [press conference room] from you guys that we might win at all, that you might be celebrating the fact that you might have the Euros to be writing about.
“I’m not getting that feeling. It’s not a negative vibe I’m getting, it’s just not one of positivity that we can do it.”
The bald truth of the matter is that few observers give the Irish a chance of leaving Geneva with a win and a Euro finals place secured.
In Dublin last month, the Swiss should have been out of sight having squandered numerous chances.
Fabian Schar’s second half goal that put the Swiss ahead was a thing of beauty before David McGoldrick grabbed a late equaliser.
The Swiss also outplayed Denmark in Copenhagen last weekend but fell to a late Yussuf Poulsen goal.
The Irish may have a bit of room to manoeuvre – the Swiss have none and must put three points on the board tonight before sizing up Georgia (h) and Gibraltar (a) in their remaining fixtures.
If the Republic can contain the Swiss in the opening 20 minutes, they could chisel out a draw.
Switzerland are full of physicality and pace but they don’t have a lot of play-making cuteness to break down Ireland’s defensive low block.
From an Irish perspective it’s encouraging to note that Xherdan Shaqiri remains in self-exile because he is the one Swiss player that could produce a bit of magic in the final third.
Despite their lack of a genuine playmaker, the feeling is the Swiss can still create good enough chances.
And given the high-stakes, the Swiss are fancied to finally break down the big, green human wall in front of them and put themselves right back in the frame for Euro 2020.
Republic of Ireland (probable): Randolph, Coleman, Stevens, Duffy, Egan, Whelan, Hendrick, Hourihane, Doherty, Connolly, McClean
Switzerland: (probable) Sommer, Elvedi, Schar, Akanji, Mbabu, Zakaria, Xhaka, Rodriguez, Embolo, Mehmedi, Seferovic.
Group D remaining fixtures
Tonight
Gibraltar v Georgia
Switzerland v Republic of Ireland
Friday November 15
Denmark v Gibraltar
Switzerland v Georgia
Monday November 18
Gibraltar v Switzerland
Republic of Ireland v Denmark
