Xhaka Benched? Switzerland's Set-Piece Puzzle

Switzerland's captain, Granit Xhaka, has become a focal point of discussion due to his role in set-piece execution. While Xhaka is widely considered his country's most crucial player, he is not the sole designated penalty taker. He shares these duties with teammates like Breel Embolo and Zeki Amdouni, having last converted a penalty in a match against Jordan the previous month.

For corners and free-kicks, Switzerland distributes responsibility among several players, including Ruben Vargas, Fabian Rieder, Michel Aebischer, and Ricardo Rodriguez. In a recent match against Qatar, Swiss manager Murat Yakin opted for a three-man defense. Despite missing early chances, Switzerland took a 1-0 lead before halftime thanks to a penalty scored by Breel Embolo in the 17th minute, a decision that sparked some debate regarding a potential offside in the buildup.