Senior service hampers Swiss challenge

Switzerland coach Pierre-André Schürmann faces a selection dilemma for his side's 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-off against Spain following the call-up of several players to Ottmar Hitzfeld's senior squad.

Improvisation
With points at a premium in Switzerland's bid to reach the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Schürmann has had to forego the services of key figures with striker Eren Derdiyok the latest to join the senior ranks alongside Johan Djourou, Fabian Lustenberger and Gelson Fernandes. Spain are the only team boasting a perfect record in qualifying and if that is not daunting enough, Schürmann also has injuries to contend with. Torino FC midfielder Blerim Dzemaili is the latest casualty, with important FC Zürich midfielder Almen Abdi already sidelined. Schürmann, though, shrugged off the complications. "I'm used to improvising," he said.

Challenge
The first leg takes place at the Brügglifeld in Aarau on Saturday before the action switches to Lorca for the return game on Tuesday. Switzerland knocked out holders the Netherlands in a dramatic final match in Group 5 to get this far, but seeing off Spain – U21 champions in 1986 and 1998 – would arguably be an even greater achievement. The challenge is great but doable if Switzerland can make home advantage count, according to captain Reto Ziegler. "If we achieve a good result in Saturday's match, everything is possible," he said.

Injury problems
Spain may have beaten all before them in Group 4, but coach Juan Ramón López Caro has called for caution against Swiss opponents he referred to as "one of the most improved teams on the continent". Injury problems are also mounting for the visitors with Sevilla FC's José Ángel Crespo (broken finger), Pedro Rodriguez of FC Barcelona (thigh), Athletic Club Bilbao's Javi Martínez (knee) and Esteban Granero of Getafe CF (ankle) all ruled out.

Quality opposition
Despite those absentees, Spain have some of the nation's best young talent at their disposal, including FC Barcelona starlet Bojan Krkić. "It's not going to be easy at all," López Caro insisted. "You just have to look at [Switzerland's] results to realise our opponents' quality. They've already knocked out the Dutch and because of that we'll have to be at our best both collectively and individually if we want to get through."