In the final match for this September-October national team window Macedonia visited Switzerland in the 4th round of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League Macedonia and suffered the fourth consecutive defeated.
photo by UEFA: Stojchevski’s chance
Coach Goce Sedloski opted for Stole Dimitrievski between the posts, in the defense Visar Musliu and Gjoko Zajkov as CBs with returnee Ezgjan Alioski left and Andrej Stojchevski right, in midfield captain Enis Bardhi, Elif Elmas and Agon Elezi, Ljupche Doriev and Dimitar Mitrovski as wingers and Elmin Rastoder in the attack.
Macedonia showed a very different approach in Lucerne, playing with high pressing and not allowing the Swiss to even start from their own box. That tactics made the opening half to have only a few chances and even the Macedonians could have scored. A great chance was missed by Stojchevski who in the 20th minute headed over the bar after a corner kick. Previously Ndoye in the 11th minute had a chance, but his weak shot was an easy save for Dimitrievski.
In the 35th minute another great chance for Macedonia. Bardhi from left sent a cross on the far post where Mitrovski tried a low volley with his left foot, but hit the ball terribly and sent it wide.
Everyone expected a goalless first half when two minutes from time Alioski’s back pass wrong-footed teammate Musliu and Rieder seized the occasion to finish high past Dimitrievski from a narrow angle.
After the break the Swiss showed a different play, while the Macedonians seemed downed by the late unexpected goal. Sedloski introduced Gashtarov, Omeragić and later Kolstadinov in order to repeat the good play from the opening half, but that did not happed. On top of that in the 73rd minute substitute Manzambi sent a shot that went directly at Dimitrievski, but the Macedonian keeper reacted so bad that he missed the ball with both his hand. 2:0 for the Swiss with two goals scored thanks to mistakes by the Macedonian players.
That was not the end when it comes to goals as the Macedonians managed once again to give away a goal. This time Kostadinov unnecessarily complicated with the ball and despite being far away tried to sent it back to Dimitrievski, but hit Gashtarov in the head. The later tried to save the ball but could not battle with two home played and eventually Ndoye scored.
Highlights:
Macedonia suffered the 4th defeat in four matches in the Nations League. Not just that, but under new coach Sedloski our national team is on a hot steak of 8 consecutive matches without scoring a goal, actually all matches under Sedloski.
The next matches for Macedonia are in mid November when the Nation League will end with a road match against Scotland and a home encounter with Slovenia.