Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer could miss his country’s vital Euro 2020 clash with Turkey on Sunday after jetting back to Germany to attend the birth of his second child
Switzerland’s first-choice goalkeeper, Yann Sommer, could miss his team’s vital Group A clash with Turkey on Sunday after leaving the squad to attend the birth of his second child, the Swiss football association said on Thursday.
The possibility of Sommer leaving the tournament to be with his wife in Cologne had been hanging over the team for days.
Sommer, 32, has now flown to Germany following Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat against Italy in Rome to be by the side of his long-time partner Alina, who is expecting to give birth to their second daughter soon.
Switzerland keeper Yann Sommer (left) could miss their crucial group game against Turkey on Sunday as he has flown to Cologne to be with his expecting wife Alina (pictured right)
The couple welcomed their first child together, daughter Mila (middle) back in 2019
The Switzerland keeper and his wife tied the knot two years ago and have one child together, daughter Mila, who was born in 2019.
It is not yet clear if Sommer will rejoin the Swiss squad in time for Sunday’s final group match against Turkey in Baku, which is an eight-hour flight from Cologne and some 2547 miles.
Switzerland find themselves in a difficult position, having only managed a solitary point from their opening two matches and now need a victory to have any chance of advancing to the last 16.
Sommer flew back to Germany after Switzerland’s 3-0 defeat against Italy in Rome
Switzerland have just one point and need to beat Turkey to stand any chance of qualifying
If he does not make it back in time, Yvon Mvogo, 27, will win his fifth cap, ahead of uncapped Gregor Kobel who was brought into the squad belatedly as a replacement for the injured Jonas Omlin.
‘Switzerland certainly does not have to worry about it. We have a great goalie team at the Euros,’ Sommer told reporters earlier in the tournament.
Sommer has however been Switzerland’s No 1 since breaking into the international side in 2012 and has 63 caps to his name.
Switzerland are currently third in Group A after drawing with Wales and losing to Italy
If Sommer is unavailable for Sunday’s game in Baku, Yvon Mvogo will likely take his place