Kosovo hosted Switzerland in Fadil Vokrri in Pristina as Switzerland sought first place in Group I.
The Dardanians started really intense and the new coach Primoz Gliha wanted to start with a victory in this match.
Switzerland tries with both sides with Shaqiri and Rodriguez as they are trying to find the spaces in the first minutes of the game.
Shaqiri shoots in the ninth minute but his shot is saved by Arijanet Muric. Leart Paqarada is fouled by Reimo Freuler in the 10th and Kosovo has a chance to start a dangerous attack. Rashica tried with a shot in the 11th, but it went wide.
First goal…
Switzerland responded with Shaqiri and Freuler with the latest that found the back of the net in the 14th minute with a volley.
Berisha had a chance to equalize, but the initiator of the action Rashica was offside. Both teams were well organized in the midfield and wanted to go forward with one or two passes. Muriqi tried in the 17th, but his shot was saved by Sommer.
Switzerland was keeping the ball and Rodriguez had a chance to shoot, but his shot was blocked. Amdounio tried on the 24th, but his attempt went wide.
While playing at home, the pressure was on Kosovo’s players. They had only three points and this was a good chance to cause surprises.
Rodriguez had another chance in the 33rd and delivered a powerful shoot, but Arijanet Muric saved his attempt. Switzerland was created in the center of the midfield and Kosovo read their game. They tried to close Switzerland in their own half, but the Helvedes were too strong to concede.
Kosovo was apathetic..
Kosovo needs some tactical changes as they were poor in the build-up and at the same time left so much space behind. They claim a penalty in the 39th, with Vedat Muriqi who went down.
Vargas fouls Vojvoda in the 42nd as Kosovo can build from behind. The problem in their game is that they do have not an identity of play. They lacked confidence and were merely the second team during the first half.
Kosovo had a chance to equalize in the 45th, but the counter started from the feet of Berisha and found Muriqi offside. Berisha has another chance in the 48th, but he is blocked by Akanji.
Vargas tried in the other end to score but could not find the net for inches. The ball ends outside the left post.
The result did not change with Switzerland that went in the dressing rooms with one goal ahead.
The second half began with Kosovo making two replacements Florent Muslija was on for Betim Fasliji on the bench and Edon Zhegrova is in for Valon Berisha out.
Bernard Berisha tries to dink the ball into the zone, but it is cleared away by Schar.
Gliha makes another sub with Bernard Berisha who left the field for Ermal Krasniqi. His team tried to set the first balls into the opposition midfield, but it was difficult with such an organized Switzerland.
Xhaka and Shaqiri made some quick passes inside the zone of Kosovo, but without finding any clear result in the 59th.
Krasniqi and Muriqi combined but the header of Muriqi went wide in the 60th. Something needs to change in Kosovo’s attack.
Murat Yakin on the other hand made two replacements Amdouni and Vargas left the pitch for Dan Ndoye and Cedric Itten on the 62nd.
The Kosovo’s Goal…
Muriqi had the perfect chance with a header in the 64th minute and he found the net after an assist by Milot Rashica. Kosovo has at least something to work on.
Loshaj was out and Florent Hadergjonaj was on the pitch in the 68th. The home side wanted to manage this equalizer.
Fabian Schaar has a chance with a header after the cross from Xherdan Shaqiri, but he can’t send the ball to the target. It was the minute 75 and Switzerland had the chance to find the advantage again.
Kosovo responded with Zhegrova whose shot was blocked in the 76th.
Freuler scores again after a combination with Ricardo Rodriguez in the 79th minute with the ball that is deflected by Amir Rrahmani.
Meriton Korenica came as a substitute for Milot Rashica in the 81st. Switzerland responded in the 84th bringing Sow and Okafor for Shaqiri and Freuler.
Muriqi scores right at the death with the action that started from Rrahmani and concluded with the attacker, who with his right foot finds the right inner post.
Kosovo tried to create something in the final minutes of the game as the match ended in an equalizer. Switzerland keep the first place in group I and are four points ahead of Romania, who equalized with Israel 1-1.
