Yann Sommer

Yann Sommer (born 17 December 1988) is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Borussia Mönchengladbach and the Swiss national team.

Yann Sommer
Sommer with Switzerland at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name Yann Sommer[1]
Date of birth (1988-12-17) 17 December 1988
Place of birth Morges, Switzerland
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Borussia Mönchengladbach
Number 1
Youth career
1996–1997 FC Herrliberg
1997–2003 Concordia
2003–2005 Basel
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2007 Basel U-21 42 (0)
2007–2014 Basel 113 (0)
2007–2009 → Vaduz (loan) 50 (0)
2009–2010 → Grasshopper (loan) 33 (0)
2014– Borussia Mönchengladbach 213 (0)
National team‡
2003–2004 Switzerland U-16 10 (0)
2003–2005 Switzerland U-17 10 (0)
2005–2007 Switzerland U-19 18 (0)
2007–2011 Switzerland U-21 31 (0)
2012– Switzerland 58 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:22, 16 January 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23:00, 26 November 2020 (UTC)

Sommer completed his apprenticeship at Basel, where he won the Swiss Super League on four consecutive occasions before transferring to Mönchengladbach in 2014. He also won the Swiss Challenge League and two Liechtenstein Football Cups while on loan to Vaduz.

Sommer made his debut for the Switzerland national team in 2012. He represented the nation at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

FC Basel

Born in Morges, Vaud, Sommer played as a child in the youth teams of his local side FC Herrliberg and later of Concordia Basel. He moved to the Basel youth setup in 2003. He signed his first professional contract with Basel in 2005. He became the first-choice goalkeeper in the under-21 squad almost immediately, fending off opposition like Jayson Leutwiler and Orkan Avci, and was third-choice for the senior squad behind Franco Costanzo and Louis Crayton.

During the summer of 2007, Sommer signed a new contract lasting until 2011, and was loaned out to Liechtensteiner club Vaduz to gain first-team experience in an environment somewhat more competitive than the reserves in the Swiss 1. Liga. He was made the first-choice goalkeeper and played 33 matches over the course of the 2007–08 Swiss Challenge League season, playing a major part in Vaduz's promotion to the Swiss Super League. His loan deal was then extended to last until January 2009. He made his Super League debut for Vaduz on 20 July 2008 in the 2–1 away win against Luzern. Sommer was recalled to Basel on 7 January 2009 because the club's first-choice goalkeeper, Franco Costanzo, was injured.[3]

Sommer made his Super League debut for Basel in a 3–2 defeat to Young Boys at the Stade de Suisse, Wankdorf, on 7 February 2009. He played six matches for Basel up until the end of the season. On 16 June, he joined Grasshopper on a one-season-long loan.[4] During his season there, he played 33 league matches.

On 14 June 2010, Sommer signed a five-year contract with Basel.[5] He served as second-choice goalkeeper behind Franco Costanzo. In March 2011, Basel announced it would not offer Costanzo a contract extension, therefore making Sommer the club's first-choice goalkeeper. Sommer played five Super League matches during the 2010–11 season and so was part of the championship-winning team.

Sommer in a Europa League match against Salzburg in March 2014

Sommer made his UEFA Champions League debut on 14 September 2011 in the 2–1 home win against Oțelul Galați.[6] He was first-choice goalkeeper in the 2011–12 season, after the end of which he won the double of the league[7] and Swiss Cup.[8]

At the end of the 2012–13 season, Sommer won the league title for the third consecutive time,[9] having played in all 36 league matches. Basel also finished as runners-up in the Swiss Cup.[10] In the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League, Basel advanced to the semi-finals, where they were matched against reigning Champions League holders Chelsea. Basel was eliminated 2–5 on aggregate.[11]

At the end of the 2013–14 season, Sommer won the league championship with Basel.[12] They also reached the final of the 2013–14 Swiss Cup, but were beaten 2–0 by Zürich after extra time. In the 2013–14 Champions League, Basel finished the group stage in third position to qualify for Europa League knockout phase, where they advanced as far as the quarter-finals. In their 2013–14 season, Basel played a total of 68 matches: 36 Swiss League fixtures, 6 Swiss Cup, 6 Champions League and 10 Europa League and 10 test matches. Sommer totaled 58 appearances: 35 League, 2 Cup, 10 Champions League and 6 Europa League, as well 5 in the test games.[13]

Borussia Mönchengladbach
Sommer with Gladbach in 2015

On 10 March 2014, Sommer signed a five-year contract with German Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach, effective from 1 July.[14] He was signed to replace Marc-André ter Stegen, who had joined Barcelona.[15] In Sommer's first season at Mönchengladbach, 2014–15, Gladbach finished in third place in the Bundesliga, club's highest league finish since 1978.[16] The club also managed to beat its record of consecutive matches without defeat, exceeding the record of 17 matches it had set during the 1970–71 season.[17]

Sommer's debut came against FC 08 Homburg in the DFB-Pokal, where Gladbach won 3–1.[18] Sommer played against VfB Stuttgart on the opening day in a 1–1 draw.[19] He was famously lobbed from long range by teammate Christoph Kramer against Borussia Dortmund in a 1–0 defeat, but Gladbach went on to secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League with one match remaining.[20][21] At the season's conclusion, Sommer was named Gladbach's player of the season.[22]

The 2015–16 season began poorly: Gladbach lost its opening match 4–0 to Borussia Dortmund, with Sommer being blamed for the first goal.[23] The club was reported to be in large trouble, and before its first Champions League match of the season, the club's players held crisis talks to discuss their problems.[24] After losing 3–0 to Sevilla, Sommer was heavily criticized for his play.[25] After a fifth-straight Bundesliga defeat, against rivals 1. FC Köln, coach Lucien Favre resigned.[26][27] In contrast to the previous year, it was the worst start to a season Gladbach had ever suffered.[28]

Under new interim boss André Schubert, the club's dramatically improved with four wins from four matches, resulting in Schubert's permanent appointment.[29] Sommer was forced to sit out against VfL Wolfsburg due to a broken nose, having injured it against Manchester City in the Champions League. He was replaced for the Wolfsburg match by Tobias Sippel. Sommer eventually played in all of the remaining Bundesliga matches, with his performances leading to interest from Manchester City.[30]

International career
Sommer playing for Switzerland in November 2015

Sommer has represented Switzerland at various age levels, including at under-16, -17, -19 and -21 levels. He made his Swiss U-16s debut on 26 August 2003, but the match ended in a 0–5 defeat against the Germany. His U-17s debut was on 20 November 2003 in the 1–1 draw against England.

Sommer made his debut for the Swiss under-21s on 22 August 2007, as he was substituted in at half-time during the 2–1 away win against Belgium. He was goalkeeper and captain of the Swiss U-21 team which competed in the final tournament of the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, hosted by Denmark between 11 and 25 June 2011. The Swiss team reached the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Final on 25 June without conceding a goal,[31] but lost 2–0 to Spain. This was Sommer's final match for the under-21s.

Sommer made his debut for the Swiss senior side on 30 May 2012 at the Swissporarena, Lucerne, in a 0–1 defeat against Romania in a friendly match. On 13 May, he was named in Switzerland's 23-man squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.[32]

Alongside Bundesliga colleagues Roman Bürki and Marwin Hitz, Sommer was one of three goalkeepers included in Switzerland's UEFA Euro 2016 squad. Sommer was Switzerland's first-choice goalkeeper, playing all four of the nation's matches.[33] Sommer was unable to prevent Switzerland being eliminated by Poland in the round of 16, losing 5–4 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.

He was included in the Switzerland's 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup.[34]

In May 2019, he played in 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals, where his team finished 4th. [35]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 16 January 2021.[36]
Club Season League Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Basel U21 2005–06 Swiss 1. Liga 120–––120
2006–07 240–––240
2010–11 60–––60
Total 420–––420
Vaduz (loan) 2007–08 Swiss Challenge League 3300020–350
2008–09 Swiss Super League 1700020–190
Total 5000040–540
Basel 2008–09 Swiss Super League 601000–70
2010–11 5040––90
2011–12 3104080–430
2012–13 36030190–580
2013–14 35020160–530
Total 1130140430–1700
Grasshopper (loan) 2009–10 Swiss Super League 33000––330
Borussia Mönchengladbach 2014–15 Bundesliga 34040100–480
2015–16 3203060–410
2016–17 34040120–500
2017–18 30030––330
2018–19 34010––350
2019–20 3402060–420
2020–21 1500060–210
Total 2130170400–2700
Career total 4510310870005690

International
As of 14 November 2020.[37]
Switzerland
YearAppsGoals
201220
201330
201450
201550
2016100
201780
2018100
2019100
202050
Total580

Honours

FC Vaduz

FC Basel[39]

Switzerland U21

Individual

References
  1. "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 11 June 2014. p. 30. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  2. "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia – List of Players" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  3. Mastroberardino, Svenja (5 February 2009). "Costanzo: "Sommer ist einer der besten Goalies"" (in German). sport.ch. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  4. "Sommer leihweise zu GC – Colomba zum FCB" (in German). FC Basel 1893. 16 June 2009. Archived from the original on 22 June 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
  5. "Yann Sommer mit Fünfjahres-Vertrag zurück zum FCB" (in German). FC Basel 1893. 14 June 2010. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
  6. (si)/mro (15 September 2011). "FC Basel mit Glück zum 2:1-Sieg" (in German). tagblatt.ch. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  7. "Jetzt hat Basel den Titel auf sicher" (in German). football.ch. 29 April 2012. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  8. "Matchtelegram FC Basel 1893 5:3 FC Luzern" (in German). football.ch. 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 4 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  9. Schifferle, Michael (10 June 2013). "Season review: Switzerland". UEFA. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  10. "Telegramm Schweizer Cup" (in German). Schweizerischer Fussballverband. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  11. Haylett, Trevor (3 May 2013). "Basel take heart after Chelsea defeat". UEFA. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  12. Grossenbacher, Sacha (18 May 2014). "Fotos vom Spiel gegen Lausanne sowie den anschliessenden Feierlichkeiten" (in German). FC Basel 1893. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  13. Zindel, Josef (2014). Rotblau: Jahrbuch Saison 2014/2015. FC Basel Marketing AG. ISBN 978-3-7245-2027-6.
  14. "Yann Sommer wechselt auf die neue Saison zu Borussia Mönchengladbach" (in German). FC Basel 1893. 10 March 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  15. Germany, Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung, Hannover, Niedersachsen. "Yann Sommer als Nachfolger für ter Stegen in Mönchengladbach gefunden – HAZ – Hannoversche Allgemeine". Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  16. "History of the club Borussia Mönchengladbach". scoreshelf.com. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  17. "Geduldig die Spitze erklommen - Borussia Mönchengladbach". www.borussia.de (in German). Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  18. "Hrgota beweist seine Abschlussqualitäten: FC 08 Homburg - Bor. Mönchengladbach 1:3 (1:2)". kicker online. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  19. "Borussia M'gladbach vs. Stuttgart - 24 August 2014 - Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  20. "Christoph Kramer scores bizarre own goal to help Dortmund win". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  21. Dunbar, Ross. "Stuttgart, Hannover collect huge wins; Gladbach seals Champions League berth". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  22. "News Detailansicht - Borussia Mönchengladbach". www.borussia.de. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  23. "Borussia Dortmund ease past Borussia Monchengladbach". espnfc.co.uk. ESPN. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  24. "Borussia Monchengladbach hold crisis talks before Champions League debut". espnfc.co.uk. ESPN. 14 September 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  25. "Player to watch: Yann Sommer — Gladbach's penalty specialist struggling for form this season | The National". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  26. uefa.com (20 September 2015). "UEFA Champions League - News – UEFA.com". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  27. Honigstein, Raphael (21 September 2015). "Borussia Mönchengladbach plunged into darkness after Lucien Favre walks out". the Guardian. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  28. Reuters (20 September 2015). "Borussia Mönchengladbach's Lucien Favre resigns after worst start". the Guardian. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  29. "Gladbach name Schubert permanent head coach - bundesliga.com". bundesliga.com - the official Bundesliga website. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  30. "Gladbach's Yann Sommer open to Premier League amid Man City talk". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  31. Hart, Patrick (25 June 2012). "2011: Spain's boys of summer dazzle". UEFA. Retrieved 21 December 2014. Nonethless, goalkeeper Yann Sommer's unbeaten streak – an unprecedented run for this tournament – was to be ended by Ander Herrera's first-half header and an extravagant Thiago Alcántara free-kick. Spain, with 2010 FIFA World Cup winners Javi Martínez and Juan Mata again playing central roles, proved irresistible even for a confident Swiss ensemble.
  32. "Das 23-Mann-Aufgebot der Schweiz" (in German). football.ch. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  33. UEFA.com. "UEFA EURO 2016 - Switzerland - Squad - UEFA.com". UEFA.com. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  34. https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/sports/dcunited/switzerland-opts-for-experience-in-world-cup-squad/2018/06/04/86572ee2-680a-11e8-a335-c4503d041eaf_story.html
  35. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48191915
  36. "Switzerland - Yann Sommer Profile". soccerway.com. Soccerway. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  37. "Yann Sommer". EU-Football.info. 24 June 2018.
  38. "Swiss No1 Sommer interested only in winning". UEFA. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  39. "Borussia sign Yann Sommer". Borussia. 10 March 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  40. "Under-21 2011 - History - Switzerland-Spain Lineups". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 25 June 2011. Archived from the original on 9 June 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  41. "Player of the year » Switzerland". World Football. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
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