Trossero prepares for crucial world cup tie

Enzo Trossero (right) is unlikely to make any dramatic changes to the starting line-up for Wednesday's match against Luxembourg Keystone Archive

The Swiss national football coach, Enzo Trossero, is on Tuesday due to name his team for Wednesday night's clash with Luxembourg.

Trossero hinted he was not planning to make any significant changes to the starting line-up following the team’s hard-fought 1-1 draw against Yugoslavia on Saturday.

Sascha Müller hopes to play for at least part of the match despite a recurring knee injury. The player from St Gallen explained how Saturday’s match had re-energised the team: “The point we gained in Belgrade was like a salvation for us.”

Both manager and squad were in high spirits during training in Zurich, with players laughing and joking as Trossero put them through their paces.

Ciriacco Sforza, the Swiss defender currently signed to Bayern Munich, made a surprise appearance at a training session on Monday, though he has been ruled out of the squad for Wednesday’s game in Zurich.

Speculation is continuing in the press over whether Switzerland’s Argentinian coach may find himself watching the match from the stands of Zurich’s Hardturm stadium, following his expulsion from the Belgrade touchline on Saturday.

Trossero was led from the bench after protesting against a number of refereeing decisions in the build-up to Yugoslavia’s opening goal.

Football’s governing body, FIFA, will meet shortly to discuss whether it will levy a fine against Trossero for his misconduct.

But Saturday’s success has eased some pressure on Trossero, who has faced calls for his resignation over the national team’s performance since he took charge in 2000.

In an interview with the Swiss German newspaper, “Blick”, Trossero defended his position. “It will not be the media that will dictate how long I lead the Swiss national team,” he said, “but me alone”.

swissinfo with agencies