Schär proving Switzerland's all-rounder
Monday, June 13, 2016
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Not content with helping Switzerland keep clean sheets, Fabian Schär chips in with more than a few goals too – and after his winner against Albania he spoke to UEFA.com's Matthew Howarth.
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Fabian Schär could have a very important role to play for Switzerland at UEFA EURO 2016 – at both ends of the pitch.
Named alongside Johan Djourou at the heart of the Nati's defence against Albania on Saturday, the 24-year-old not only helped his team keep a clean sheet, but also headed the only goal of the game to earn Vladimir Petković's side all three points from their Group A opener.
This was not the first time the Wil-born defender has registered at international level either: Schär's strike at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis was his sixth in 21 appearances, giving him a ratio of 0.28 goals per match – the second highest in the current Switzerland squad behind Xherdan Shaqiri.
"It's hard to explain," Schär told UEFA.com when asked to shed light on his impressive scoring record. "But my goal certainly released a lot of pressure. When you score early it gives you a certain degree of security, but I still would have preferred it if we'd decided the match a bit earlier."
Indeed, after Haris Seferović had spurned several opportunities to put the game beyond Albania's reach following Lorik Cana's first-half dismissal, only an excellent save by Yann Sommer prevented Shkëlzen Gashi earning the Eagles a last-gasp draw in Lens.
"In the end we have to thank Yann for saving that last one," said centre-back Schär. "We have to avoid giving opportunities like that to our opponents, but we also know that the first match is often a bit more difficult than the others. There may be a few nerves – that's normal."
Another victory against Romania on Wednesday would banish any lingering fears of a fourth successive group-stage exit for the Swiss at a UEFA EURO. Yet having watched the Tricolorii's narrow defeat by hosts France on Friday, Schär recognises that Switzerland need to step things up at the Parc des Princes.
"It will be very, very difficult," the Hoffenheim man said. "Against France we saw how strong the Romanians were. They played very well, they were alert, aggressive and on the same level as the French. We certainly need to improve, but I hope we'll be in the next round after this match."