Euros 2024 team preview: Switzerland rely on their squad experience

With UEFA Euro 2024 now less than 10 days away, let’s take a look at how every national side fares up heading into the big tournament in Germany.

Swiss team during penalty shootouts (Getty Images)

New Delhi: Switzerland will be taking part in Euros for the sixth time since they first qualified in the year 1996. Since then, it has been a wonderful period for the Swiss national team, who have performed at big stages of international football while also developing their talents and improving the squad.

The Swiss’s historic 2020 Euros run, where they reached quarter final for the very first time knocking out previous year’s finalists and certain contenders France, was something very few would have anticipated. Their dream run came to an end after Spain knocked them out, but they showed some great spirit and fought till the very end.

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The fans have high expectations as Switzerland look to perform at the biggest stage of European International football. The squad looks good with a lot of experience, that would help the players build a good chemistry amongst themselves.

Squad list

Coach Murat Yakin has announced the following list of players, who are a part of the provisional squad

*The final squad is yet to be announced*

Goalkeepers: Yann Sommer (Potential starter), Gregor Kobel, Yvon Mvogo, Marvin Keller, Pascal Loretz.

Defenders: Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez, Kevin Mbabu, Nico Elvedi, Fabian Schar, Cedric Zesigner, Ulisses Garcia, Silvan Widmer, Leonidas Stergiou, Albuan Hajdari, Bryan Okoh, Aurele Amenda.

Midfielders: Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri, Denis Zakaria, Remo Freuler, Fabian Rieder, Michel Aebischer, Ardon Jashari, Vincent Sierro, Filip Ugrinic, Uran Bislimi.

Forwards: Breel Embolo, Ruben Vargas, Noah Okafor, Steven Zuber, Renato Steffen, Zeki Amdouni, Andi Zeqiri, Dan Ndoye, Kwadwo Duah, Joel Monteiro.

Players to watch out for: Granit Xhaka

Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka. (Photo: Getty Images)

One of the most important factors for the Swiss line-up would be the involvement of their potential captain Granit Xhaka. The squad is filled with talented midfielders such as Denis Zakaria, Steven Zuber and Renato Steffen, but the experience and the technical elegance of Granit Xhaka alongside Xherdan Shaqiri, who will also play an integral part with all the international experience, is very much needed to support their midfield that looks to be the strong point for the Swiss.

Xhaka’s presence was influential for his Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen as they lifted the league trophy while also winning the DFB Pokal. His consistency would be an important factor for the Swiss side as he would play an important role leading the midfield, both defensively as well as while going forward.

While his experience would help Yakin’s playing style, other players such as Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji and Breel Embolo will also play their part in getting the job done.

Youngster that could shine: Fabian Rieder

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – MARCH 28: Fabian Rieder of Switzerland (R) against Manor Solomon of Israel (L) during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group I match between Switzerland and Israel at Stade de Geneve on March 28, 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

The Swiss squad is full of experienced players who have established themselves at club as well as international level. However, Fabian Reider at the age of 22 is one of the youngest players in the squad. Naturally playing as an attacking midfielder, he can be a good prospect for holding midfield role.

Despite playing just 3 matches for Genoa this season, the young midfielder has a lot to offer to this Swiss side and can do his job quite well when he is needed on the pitch. It will be interesting to see if Yakin would be willing to select him for the final squad, and might as well give him the playing time at a big stage.

Prediction

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA – JUNE 28: Mario Gavranovic of Switzerland celebrates after scoring their side’s third goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match between France and Switzerland at National Arena on June 28, 2021 in Bucharest, Romania. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

It won’t be an easy task for Murat Yakin’s side as they will be competing against the hosts, Germany, Scotland and Hungary. The stakes are certainly high but this team has proved that they can handle the pressure in big stages and compete against the very best.

As per the predictions, Switzerland may end the group second, behind the Germans but they have to show some real intent in order to qualify for the latter stages of the competition. They have done it before reaching the quarter final and may well be on the road to another historic run.