Switzerland face Germany in UEFA Euro 2024 on Sunday, looking to book their place in the round of 16 of the competition.
A draw would be enough to take Switzerland through to the next round as they get set to take on Germany. They could progress to the knockout rounds of the tournament even if they lose the game, but they would have to depend on the result of Scotland vs Hungary then.
Switzerland will want to keep their fate in their own hands and grind out a draw against Germany here. They have been quite impressive with their performance UEFA Euro 2024 so far, and it remains to be seen whether they can pull off a big result here.
Meanwhile, Germany have looked formidable in the European Championships so far. They followed up a thumping win over Scotland with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Hungary on Wednesday.
Die Mannschaft will be fully confident of grinding out another impressive result here. It will be interesting to see if they can pick up all three points. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Switzerland
Denis Zakaria, Steven Zuber, and Dan Ndoye are likely to miss out with trivial issues. Switzerland are likely to shape up in a 3-4-2-1 formation against Germany on Sunday, with Yann Sommer in goal.
In the back three, Fabian Schar will start alongside Manuel Akanji and Ricardo Rodriguez. Silvan Widmer and Michel Aebischer will start as the wing-backs. They will look to keep things compact defensively and protect the back tree against the German wingers.
As for the midfield unit, Remo Freuler will add defensive cover to the side, while Granit Xhaka provides creativity and composure to the side from the deep. Ruben Vargas and Zeki Amdouni will start as the advanced midfielders here, and they will look to create goalscoring opportunities in the final third. Kwadwo Duah will lead the line for Switzerland here.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Widmer, Xhaka, Freuler, Aebischer; Vargas, Ndoye; Duah
Germany
Julian Nagelsmann should be able to field a full-strength lineup, and he does not have any major injury issues to worry about. Germany will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Switzerland, with Manuel Neuer never in goal.
Joshua Kimmich and Maximilian Mittelstadt will start as the full-backs here. They will look to help out defensively and join in during encounter-attacking opportunities. Antonio Rudiger will form the central defensive partnership alongside Jonathan Tah.
As for the midfield unit, Emre Can will start alongside Toni Kroos. Can will look to break up opposition attacks, and Kroos will look to dictate the tempo of the game from the deep. Ilkay Gundogan will start as the central attacking midfielder, and he will look to link the midfield with the attack.
The Barcelona midfielder will look to create a goalscoring opportunities with his passing and vision as well. Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala will start on the flanks, and they will look to add pace and flare to the site. Niclas Fullkrug will lead the line for Germany against Switzerland.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Rudiger, Tah, Mittelstadt; Can, Kroos; Sane, Gundogan, Musiala; Fullkrug
Key Stats
- Germany have scored at least two goals in five of their last six matches against Switzerland in all competitions.
- Germany are unbeaten in five of the last six meetings against Switzerland.
- 26 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between these two teams.
- Four of the last five matches between these two teams have seen both sides get on the score sheet.
- Switzerland are unbeaten in the last three meetings against Germany.
Player to Watch
Jamal Musiala
The German prospect has been an impressive form, and he has done quite well in the Euros so far. He will look to build on his impressive start of the tournament and look to add to his goalscoring tally. He will look to influence the game in the final third with his creativity and link up as well. Musiala is our key player to watch out for.
Prediction
Switzerland 1-2 Germany
Switzerland are likely to put up a strong fight here, and they have been quite impressive in the tournament. Germany will have to work hard to grind out a positive result. This is likely to be a close contest, but the away side have the quality and the experience to grind out a win. The gulf in class between the two teams should see Germany pick up a narrow victory here.