Despite Drawn in Favorable Group, Team Struggles with Injuries, Lack of Depth, and Systemic Issues

The Switzerland women’s national team is facing a daunting task in the upcoming Euro 2025 tournament, despite being drawn in what appears to be the weakest group of the four. The team has been plagued by injuries, including the season-ending ACL injuries suffered by midfielder Lara Marti and the cruciate ligament tear sustained by veteran Ramona Bachmann, who is a pioneer of women’s football in Switzerland and a great role model for young players. Bachmann’s loss is particularly significant, as she has been capped 153 times and scored 60 goals for the national team.

The team’s defense is another potential problem area, with coach Pia Sundhage not having a wealth of options to choose from. The players who are available, such as Luana Bühler, Viola Calligaris, and Nadine Riesen, have not featured heavily for their clubs in the second half of the season. The team has been playing in a 3-5-2 formation, which Sundhage is sticking to stubbornly despite it forcing players to play in different roles than they are used to at club level. This has led to criticism that Sundhage is prioritizing her system over the well-being of her players, particularly those who are not fully fit.

The goalkeeping situation is also open, with both Elvira Herzog and Livia Peng having made costly mistakes in 2025. Sundhage settled on Herzog as the No. 1 in November, but the team may need the passionate support of the home fans to go deep in the competition. The team’s reliance on Herzog is a concern, given her lack of experience at the international level.

Despite the challenges facing the team, there are still some positives to take away. Star player Lia Wälti, who lost her starting place at Arsenal during the second half of the season, is still the most important player for the national team. Her calmness on the ball and experience are huge factors for the team to function at its best. Off the pitch, Wälti is the squad’s integration figurehead, making sure that the younger players feel welcome and included. Her leadership and influence will be crucial in the upcoming tournament.

One player to watch is 18-year-old striker Sydney Schertenleib, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past year. After transferring from Grasshopper Club to Barcelona’s youth team 12 months ago, she is now a permanent member of the first-team squad, playing regularly. Her technique and dribbling are a feast for the eye, and she is the diamond of the many talented players coming through in Switzerland at the moment. Schertenleib’s rise to prominence is a testament to the growing talent pool in Swiss women’s football, and she is likely to be a key player for the national team in the years to come.

The team’s realistic aim is to qualify for the quarter-finals, which would be a huge surprise if they were to reach the last four. Despite the challenges facing the team, the home side has been very fortunate to have been drawn in a favorable group. However, the team’s systemic issues, including Sundhage’s stubborn adherence to her 3-5-2 formation and the lack of depth in the squad, make it difficult to see them achieving their realistic aim.