EURO 2021 analysis: Switzerland can be dangerous if defence is pedalling

The Swiss are facing a rather tough group at the upcoming European Championships. Alongside the Italians, they will play the unpleasant Turks and the unpredictable Wales. What are they bringing to the tournament?

Goalkeepers: Yann Sommer (Mönchengladbach), Yvon Mvogo (PSV), Jonas Omlin (Montpellier)

Switzerland have the reliable Yann Sommer in goal. He has been the goalkeeper for the last two major international tournaments (Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018) and has been one of Mönchengladbach’s mainstays this year as well.

Defenders: Manuel Akanji (Dortmund), Loris Benito (Bordeaux), Eray Cömert (Basel), Nico Elvedi (Mönchengladbach), Jordan Lotomba (Nice), Kevin Mbabu (Wolfsburg), Becir Omeragic (Zurich), Ricardo Rodríguez (Torino), Fabian Schär (Newcastle United), Silvan Widmer (Basel)

The Swiss selection plays under coach Vladimir Petkovic in a modern 3-4-1-2 three-defender system. This is understandable, as there are many quality stoppers and outside backs in the squad.

Two players from the Bundesliga have a certain place in the three-man tracking line. Nico Elvedi and Manuel Akanji are regulars for Mönchengladbach and Dortmund respectively, and are also regulars on the national team scene.

Third place will be a battle. The most logical choice seems to be Fabian Schär, also a proven player, but he is coming off perhaps the worst season of his career. His main competitor for the left-back position will be Ricardo Rodriguez.

As for the left wing-back, there are several options here. The number one choice will probably be the Bundesliga seasoned Steven Zuber, but Loris Benito, Ruben Vargas or the aforementioned Rodriguez have also been given chances in recent months.

On the right, it’s a bit clearer. Kevin Mbabu is starting in the base not only because of his good performances, but also because he is able to move to any other position in the defence during the game. Silvar Widmer has his back.

Midfielders: Christian Fassnacht (Young Boys), Edimilson Fernandes (Mainz), Remo Freuler (Atalanta), Admir Mehmedi (Wolfsburg), Xherdan Shaqiri (Liverpool), Djibril Sow (Frankfurt), Ruben Vargas (Augsburg), Granit Xhaka (Arsenal), Denis Zakaria (Mönchengladbach), Steven Zuber (Frankfurt)

Four players rotate in the two-man midfield. Three are fighting for one spot and Granit Xhaka is playing every game. Despite Arsenal’s poor season, Xhaka has ironically had perhaps his best year individually since his transfer from Germany.

Remo Freuler, Djibril Sow and Denis Zakaria will battle it out for the other spot. For some of you, the third name may be the favourite, but Zakaria hasn’t fared too well this season and has dropped out of the Swiss’ squad. Coach Petkovic usually gives space to the more defensive Sow in games against the strongest opponents, while Freuler comes in against weaker teams.

Xherdan Shaqiri comes on as an offensive midfielder game after game, although he polishes the bench in Liverpool, he is one of the offensive mainstays in the national team. Moreover, he has no proper competition.

Forwards: Breel Embolo (Mönchengladbach), Mario Gavranović (Dinamo Zagreb), Haris Seferović (Benfica)

In attack we find three interesting and above all goal scoring players. Haris Sefarovic has scored 26 goals at club level (Benfica) this season and few doubt that he would be missed in the starting eleven.

Breel Embolo, on the other hand, was a regular for Mönchengladbach at the age of twenty-four and had a hand in twelve goals (6+6). He is the coach’s favourite and will definitely get a chance. And if he doesn’t, Mario Gavranovic, the author of eighteen goals and eight assists last season, will replace him.

Key success factors: Granit Xhaka’s behaviour and defence as before

Xhaka may be one of the best, but also one of the worst players of the tournament. Everything depends on his behaviour. Xhaka is capable of playing a great game, but on the other hand he can also be easily provoked and maybe sent off. If he wants to go far with his teammates, he must forget his often childish behaviour.

The quality of the Swiss defence is evident not only from the names but also from the numbers. In the last seven games, the Swiss have never scored more than one goal and have conceded only four times. And they have played against the likes of Spain, Ukraine and the USA.

Prediction: Eight finals

Source: Transfermarkt