- Best Euros
- Round of 16 2016
- 2016 Euros
- Round of 16
Switzerland’s Euro Schedule
| Date | Fixture | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 12th June 2pm | Wales v Switzerland | Baku |
| 16th June 8pm | Italy v Switzerlands | Rome |
| 20th June 5pm | Switzerland v Turkey | Baku |
Click here to read a full Group A preview
Road to the Euros
Switzerland.topped their qualifying group, despite taking only one point from their two games against Denmark, who finished runner-up, but those games apart, they conceded just one further goal in six games (1-1 away against Republic of Ireland). They did better against the other teams, however, beating Georgia and Gibraltar home and away, and gaining a crucial win in the return game against the Irish just three days after that solitary setback against the Danes.
Current form
Switzerland failed to win any of their first seven games after last year’s lockdown, and only avoided relegation from their Nations League A group by goal difference after beating bottom-placed Ukraine 3-0 in the final game of the campaign. That victory acted as a springboard for an apparent return to form that saw them win their three World Cup qualifiers in March, beating Bulgaria (3-1), Lithuania (1-0) and Finland 3-2) in the space of six days. They have continued that improved form in their recent pre-tourament friendlies, warming up with a 2-1 success against USA, and then boosting morale further with a 7-0 demolition of Liechtenstein.
Squad assessment
Switzerland lack a real cutting edge against top opposition and therefore build their tactics around a solid defensive platform, where they will miss the resilience and the leadership qualities of the retired Stephan Lichtsteiner. The midfield should again revolve around the spoiling qualities of captain Granite Xhaka, coupled with the attacking artistry of Xherdan Shaqiri, and they will need it, as it is in the final third that the Swiss struggle to dominate. Haris Seferovic will probably continue to lead the attack, but if he fails to make his mark, then young Rangers striker Cedric Itten will be waiting in the wings to make his mark, while Mario Gavranovic did his prospects no harm at all with a timely hat-trick in the final warm-up game.
Key players
Shaqiri and Seferovic will be the names that most spring to mind when looking for inspiration in the attacking third, and Itten might surprise a few defenders if given an opportunity, but none of them will be able to produce much without talisman Granit Xhaka breaking up play and dominating possession in the middle of the park.
Click below to read more about each of Switzerland’s Group A opponents: