UEFA Euro 2024 Team Previews: Switzerland
UEFA Euro 2024 is just weeks away from kicking off in Germany. Over the next 17 days, we will be previewing each team that will be taking part in Europe’s biggest football tournament. Check out all of the team previews that have been done so far. Up next is Switzerland.
The end of an era for Switzerland is nearing as key players are aging out as the youngsters look to make a name for themselves. With that being said players like Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri will look to go out with a bang at Euro 2024 in what could be their final chance at European glory. “Nati” has been a staple in international tournaments over the last decade and a half having qualified for every World Cup since 2006. However, they were less than impressive in Euro 2024 qualifying. Winning four matches and drawing five was just enough for them to finish second in their qualification group ahead of Israel but behind Romania.
Euro Appearances
After not having qualified for the first nine Euros, Switzerland will be heading to their sixth in the past eight. Their first appearance came back in 1996. “Nati” then made back-to-back Euros in 2004 and 2008, when they co-hosted with Austria. Missing out in 2012 has seemed to work out as Switzerland will be heading to its third consecutive appearance at Euro 2024.
Best Finish at the Euros
The first three times that Switzerland qualified for the Euros saw them go out in the group stage. Since then they have found their way into the knockout stage and progressed to the quarterfinals after beating the reigning World Cup champions France on penalties in the round of 16. However, “Nati” ran out of luck and fell to Spain on penalties in the quarterfinal.
Key players
Led by the two players mentioned at the top, Xhaka and Shaqiri, the Swiss midfield looks to show its experience. Bayer Leverkusen’s Xhaka is the nation’s most capped player with 123 caps, while Shaqiri of the Chicago Fire sits right behind him with 121 appearances for Switzerland. There is just as much experience in the back with Torino left-back Ricardo Rodríguez having made 114 appearances and Inter Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer having made 88.
Shaqiri has also continued to be Switzerland’s top goal-scoring threat with a team-high 30 goals. However, it was 23-year-old Zeki Amdouni who took Euro 2024 qualifying by storm. The Burnley forward scored six goals during qualifying to lead the way for “Nati.” Another two players that could cause trouble for opposing defenses are Monaco’s Breel Embolo and FC Augsburg’s Ruben Vargas. As far as defense goes Premier League winner Manuel Akanji of Manchester City and Nico Elvedi of Borussia Monchengladbach will hold it down alongside Rodriguez.
Manager
Former Swiss international Murat Yakin will be the man to lead Switzerland in his second major tournament with the team. His stats have been bang average winning 14 of 32 matches as manager. In the 2022 World Cup, Yakin guided “Nati” to the round of 16 before being run out of the tournament by Portugal in an embarrassing 6-1 defeat.
Biggest Group Game – vs Germany on June 23
At Euro 2020, Switzerland needed to win their final group stage match to advance to the knockout stage. This time at Euro 2024 they may need to win their final group match to win the group. The difference between winning Group A and finishing second is huge. With a win, you would likely play Denmark or Serbia. If you finish second it’ll be a date with one of Spain, Croatia, or the defending Euro champs Italy.
Prediction
Switzerland has the keys to win the group, but with Germany looking to take care of business early at home a second-place finish in Group A seems more likely for “Nati.” While there is always a chance that Switzerland can surprise teams in the knockout stage, I do not like their chances against any of Spain, Croatia, or Italy and see “Nati” falling out in the round of 16.
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