Stephen Lichtsteiner will not play for Switzerland against Belgium and Iceland after being left out of the squad for this round of internationals at Arsenal’s request.
There has been much speculation regarding Lichtsteiner’s international future since the summer with rumours from the country claiming their manager, Vladimir Petrovic, would no longer pick him.
That proved to be false as he was called up for the last set of international matches but on first glance, you might be inclined to think he’s now being phased out as the captain of his country.
Not so, it seems.
Arsenal and Switzerland came to an agreement in September that the player would rest rather than play over this break and, given his age and Arsenal’s hectic schedule, the move seems very wise indeed. Michael Lang (Borussia Monchengladbach) and Florent Hadergjonag (Huddersfield) have been called up as the team’s right-backs.
Granit Xhaka has, however, been called up. As his country’s vice-captain, he will no doubt skipper the side in both matches.
Switzerland face Belgium in Brussels on 12 October in the UEFA Nations League before playing Iceland in Reykjavik on 15 October in the same competition.
Switzerland squad in full
Goalkepers
Yann Sommer (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Roman Bürki (Borussia Dortmund), Yvon Mvogo (RB Leipzig).
Defenders
Manuel Akanji (Borussia Dortmund), Nico Elvedi (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Florent Hadergjonaj (Huddersfield Town), Timm Klose (Norwich City), Michael Lang (Borussia Mönchengladbach), François Moubandje (Toulouse), Ricardo Rodriguez (Milan), Fabian Schär (Newcastle United).
Midfielders/Forwards
Albian Ajeti (Basel), Breel Embolo (Schalke), Christian Fassnacht (Young Boys), Edimilson Fernandes (Fiorentina), Remo Freuler (Atalanta Bergamo), Mario Gavranovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Haris Seferovic (Benfica Lisbon), Xherdan Shaqiri, Djibril Sow, Granit Xhaka, Denis Zakaria, Steven Zuber .