Ireland v Switzerland – John O’Shea signs off as interim boss in Aviva friendly
Ireland's Séamus Coleman in action against Dan Ndoye of Switzerland during the international friendly at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Ireland take on Switzerland at the Aviva Stadium this evening in John O’Shea’s final game as interim head coach.
Following Saturday’s creditable draw with Belgium, O’Shea will be hoping to go out in a high as the FAI prepare to finalise their search for a new permanent manager.
O’Shea is likely to shuffle his pack for the game with some players expected to make their senior debuts in the match which kicks off at 7.45pm. You can follow all the pre-game build-up and match action here.
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Switzerland
Better from Ireland as Robbie Brady starts an attack by finding Mikey Johnston.
It's worked well intro a central area and Sammie Szmodics turns brilliantly before playing a quality through ball for Coleman.
Unfortunately, the offside flag is raised.
It's worked well intro a central area and Sammie Szmodics turns brilliantly before playing a quality through ball for Coleman.
Unfortunately, the offside flag is raised.
FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill, left, and former Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo before the international friendly match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Switzerland are looking really comfortable on the ball now, pinning Ireland back into their own half.
Toulouse midfielder Vincent Sierro finds himself in space and strikes from distance. It bounces in front of Gavin Bazunu, who collects confidently.
Toulouse midfielder Vincent Sierro finds himself in space and strikes from distance. It bounces in front of Gavin Bazunu, who collects confidently.
The away team create the first real chance of the night. Granit Xhaka pings a pass out to Dan Ndoye and the Bologna attacker cuts inside Coleman, before shooting at goal.
The effort is blocked by Nathan Collins, and Silvan Widmer's header is then cleared out for a corner by Andrew Omobamidele.
The effort is blocked by Nathan Collins, and Silvan Widmer's header is then cleared out for a corner by Andrew Omobamidele.
Josh Cullen's first-time ball over the top finds the run over Seamus Coleman, but the Ireland skipper doesn't make the most of it.
It has been an encouraging start by the Boys in Green. They press really well as a unit and turn over possession. Jason Knight attacks down the right wing and goes past Eray Comert, winning a free-kick in a dangerous area.
Robbie Brady takes the set piece but it's dealt with by Switzerland's backline.
Robbie Brady takes the set piece but it's dealt with by Switzerland's backline.
Kick-off:
The game has begun. Ireland are in their home colours of green shirts, white shorts and green socks, while the Swiss wear their traditional all-red kit.
Our referee for tonight is Pawel Raczkowski of Poland.
“I think us as a group, we just want somebody who understands Irish football and who knows what it is.
“Obviously the manager here has probably the best experience in that sense. He has played so many times for this country and has worked under great managers, great Irish managers too, so there is a lot to take from that as well.”
Burnley defender Dara O’Shea believes his namesake, the current interim manager, ticks all the boxes.
Opposition watch
Switzerland, ranked 19th in the world, are currently preparing for Euro 2024.
Their last meeting with Ireland, a Euro 2020 qualifier in Geneva five years ago, ended in a 2-0 win for the home side.
Read about Ireland’s latest opponents in this piece by Seán O’Connor.
Tonight’s visitors are managed by 49-year-old Murat Yakin. Alongside his brother Hakan, the former centre-half lined out against Ireland on three occasions as a player, two of which were during Brian Kerr’s tenure.
Yakin has also come up against John O’Shea in the past, at international level and as captain of FC Basel in the Champions League.
Aidan Fitzmaurice attended yesterday’s pre-match press conference to hear from the Switzerland boss.
Switzerland team news
Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji and Ruben Vargas of Augbsurg miss out through injury after starting in Saturday’s scoreless draw with Denmark, while Inter Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer is also unavailable.
Bayer Levekusen’s Granit Xhaka captains the team and 32-year-old Xherdan Shaqiri, who isn’t setting the world alight at Chicago Fire, has been promoted from the bench.
Switzerland’s starting XI: Yvon Mvogo; Nico Elvedi, Fabian Schar, Silvan Widmer; Eray Comert, Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka, Michel Aebischer, Vincent Sierro; Dan Ndoye, Zeki Amdouni.
Ireland team news
O’Shea has made three changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Belgium on Saturday.
Gavin Bazunu gets the nod ahead of Caoimhín Kelleher in goal, Jason Knight is in for Will Smallbone and Mikey Johnston replaces the injured Ogbene.
Youngsters Jake O’Brien, Finn Azaz and Joe Hodge could all be handed their debuts, although the Ireland interim manager is clearly taking this game seriously so he may look to more experienced players.
Ireland’s starting XI: Gavin Bazunu; Seamus Coleman, Nathan Collins, Dara O'Shea, Andrew Omobamidele, Robbie Brady; Josh Cullen, Jason Knight; Sammie Szmodics, Evan Ferguson, Mikey Johnston.
Ogbene misses out
The significant news to come out of the UEFA squad lists this morning was that Chiedozie Ogbene will play no part tonight. The Luton Town winger has not made the matchday 26, with the FAI confirming that 26-year-old Ogbene has returned to his club after sustaining an injury.
In his preview, Daniel McDonnell draws the conclusion that, if this turns out to be John O’Shea’s last game in charge, he will be reluctantly stepping aside rather than willingly doing so.
There has been a major development relating to Irish football in the past hour.
In an exclusive to the Irish Independent, Mark Tighe and Daniel McDonnell are reporting that the future of FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill is under threat.
In an exclusive to the Irish Independent, Mark Tighe and Daniel McDonnell are reporting that the future of FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill is under threat.
Read the story in full:
Good evening and welcome along. The Aviva Stadium hosts the second in a double-header of international friendlies and Switzerland are in town.
This fixture might be looked at as one of little importance by some. However, for the Ireland players, it provides one more opportunity to impress in a green jersey before the new manager – whoever that may be – is finally appointed.
And, having acquitted himself well as caretaker boss so far, John O’Shea will want to use these 90-plus minutes to strengthen the argument that he has what it takes to fill the position on a permanent basis.
There were certainly green shoots on show in Dublin 4 on Saturday night, and the Waterford native will surely be aiming for a similar performance, with a goal or two added into the mix.
It’s a 7.45pm kick-off and the action is live on Virgin Media Two. We’ll have build-up, team news and some essential pre-match reading so don't go anywhere.