Switzerland coach Jakob Kuhn faces a tactical dilemma about his striking options just two weeks before his side kick off UEFA EURO 2008™ against the Czech Republic.
Forward thinking
Whether to deploy a one or two-pronged attack is the quandary occupying Kuhn's mind, though his hand may be forced by the options the 64-year-old has at his disposal. The withdrawal through injury of Blaise Nkufo has left the coach with – Alexander Frei aside – only three recognised forwards of differing ages and levels of experience.
'Stronger now'
The good news is that Frei, who missed much of BV Borussia Dortmund's Bundesliga campaign following hip surgery last summer, has returned to fitness in style. Having scored six goals in his last eight league matches, he looks to be entering the tournament in perfect form. "It was a difficult time [being injured] but I have learned from it and I am stronger now," Frei said.
Limited options
During Frei's absence Kuhn fielded a lone striker, and he may now be tempted to do the same given the partners available to support the 28-year-old. FC Basel 1893's Eren Derdiyok, 19, only made his debut in the spring friendlies against Germany and England – scoring against the latter – Marco Streller only regained fitness in March to aid Basel's Swiss title push, while 34-year-old Thomas Häberli's solitary cap came in September 2004.
Mixed feelings
"We are missing options in attack," said Hansruedi Hasler, technical director of the Swiss Football Association (SFV). Left-back Ludovic Magnin, however, is keeping a positive attitude. "It's no secret that we don't have many strikers to choose from, we know that," he said. "But we also know that the ones at our disposal are good enough to score, as they have proven in the past."
Yakin chance
One possible solution for Kuhn, should he decide on a one-man front line, is to play BSC Young Boys' Hakan Yakin in the hole. The 31-year-old was the leading scorer in
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