EURO 2020 Switzerland Preview: Full Squad, Key Players, Fixtures and Predictions
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Switzerland
How astonishing does the sound that a FIFA Ranked #13 team has never won a knockout game in the any international tournament since 1983. However, this is the same fate met the Vladimir Petkovic Swiss side, who play their first game against Wales at EURO 2020 in Baku.
EURO 2020 SWITZERLAND PREVIEW
Switzerland has abundance of experience in their squad heading into the EURO 2020. This nation has proven to be the underdog in international tournaments, yet they have somehow managed to not be able to turn their stern group stage form into the knockout phase. Even they reached the second round in EURO 2016, they were unfortunately beaten by Poland.
Having being led the Arsenal mid-fielders Granit Xhaka. Lately Switzerland have been able to turn the stables around big European teams in friendlies during the initial stages. Yet their habit of lose momentum towards the end of a match has been haunting them for years. And especially in clutch games.
SWITZERLAND EURO 2020 SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Yann Sommer (Borussia Monchengladbach), Yvon Mvogo (PSV), Jonas Omlin (Montpellier)
Defenders: Kevin Mbabu (Wolfsburg), Silvan Widmer (Basel), Nico Elvedi (Borussia Monchengladbach), Manuel Akanji (Borussia Dortmund), Eray Comert (Basel), Ricardo Rodriguez (Torino), Becir Omeragic (Zurich), Loris Benito (Bordeaux)
Midfielders: Remo Freuler (Atalanta), Granit Xhaka (Arsenal), Ruben Vargas (Augsburg), Steven Zuber (Eintracht Frankfurt), Djibril Sow (Eintracht Frankfurt), Christian Fassnacht (Young Boys), Denis Zakaria (Borussia Monchengladbach), Edimilson Fernandes (Mainz), Xherdan Shaqiri (Liverpool)
Forwards: Breel Embolo (Borussia Monchengladbach), Haris Seferovic (Benfica), Admir Mehmedi (Wolfsburg), Mario Gavranovic (Dinamo Zagreb)
EURO 2020 KEY PLAYERS FOR SWITZERLAND
Coach Vladimir Petkovic has a plethora of experienced players at his disposal who have gained plenty of exposure playing in the top five European leagues. With Xhaka leading the charge, know all the remaining key players who can prove to be the difference maker for Switzerland in the upcoming EURO 2020 bonanza.
Haris Seferovic
Haris Seferovic is Switzerland’s standout goal threat, having netted 22 times in 31 league appearances for Benfica last season. He’s not always been as prolific at international level but that’s largely due to the fact his national side create far fewer opportunities.
Granit Xhaka
No matter how controversial the Arsenal captain might be, yet his vision is beyond appreciation. Xhaka has been a trusted man for Mikel Arteta as well as for Vladimir Petkovic in the past. His contribution has been immense and indescribable on the international stage for his country. If Switzerland are hoping to finally reach deep into the European Championship, it has to be on the back of their captain Xhaka.
Cedric Itten
This 23-year-old striker who plays for the Rangers is a breath of fresh air for the team and his record confirms his potential. In the two appearances he had in the Euro qualifiers, he accumulated 3 goals scored, also he scored in the first 6 minutes in this international debut. Regarding his record in other competitions, Itten played 34 matches in the 2019-2020 Super League: he scored 19 goals and provided 6 assists.
EURO 2020 SWITZERLAND GROUP STAGE
Switzerland is placed in group A of EURO 2020 with the likes of Italy, Wales and Turkey. Knowing that Azzurri have been in terrific form and are unbeaten since 2018, it is hard to believe why they would not top the group. Apart from them Switzerland has a major change to rank second having to square off against the other two oppositions within the subsequent games.
Which games them the edge to think about their strategy to play against both sides. Even if they endure a disappointing result against the 2006 World Cup Winners.
EURO 2020 SWITZERLAND GROUP STAGE FIXTURES
| Date | Team | Timings (in IST) | Venue |
| 12 June 2021 | Wales | 6:30 PM | Baku Olympic Stadium, Baku |
| 17 June 2021 | Italy | 12:30 AM | Stadio Olympic, Rome |
| 20 June 2021 | Turkey | 9:30 PM | Baku Olympic Stadium, Baku |
SWITZERLAND HISTORY IN EURO’s
| Year and Venue | Position | Result |
| 1960 France | Did not Participate | – |
| 1964 Spain | Did not Participate | – |
| 1968 Italy | Did not Participate | – |
| 1972 Belgium | Did not Participate | – |
| 1976 Yugoslovakia | Did not Participate | – |
| 1980 Italy | Did not Participate | – |
| 1984 France | Did not Participate | – |
| 1988 Germany | Did not Participate | – |
| 1992 Sweden | Did not Participate | – |
| 1996 | Group Stage | 13th |
| 2000 | Did not Participate | – |
| 2004 | Group Stage | 15th |
| 2008 | Group Stage | 11th |
| 2012 | Did not Participate | – |
| 2016 | Round of 16 | 11 |
| 2021 | Yet To Play | – |
SWITZERLAND PREDICTION FOR EURO 2020
Switzerland’s lack of cutting edge is likely to see them struggle for goals and it’s difficult to see where the victories are going to come from. In Turkey, Italy and Wales they will face three sides who are far more balanced.
Petkovic, who statistically is Switzerland’s most successful ever coach, has got a difficult job on his hands and they could end up finishing bottom of Group A.
Also Read: Three U-23 stars who will be a vital cog for their side in EURO 2020
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Yakshpat Bhargava
(3989 Articles Published)