After a thoroughly disappointing opening to Euro 2024, where Scotland were dismantled ruthlessly by Germany in a 5-1 defeat, the Tartan Army will look to redeem themselves against Switzerland on Wednesday 19th June 2024.
The result means Scotland have only won one game in their last ten matches, losing six times in the process, and Steve Clarke will know improvement is much needed if his side are to keep their hopes of qualifying to the round of 16 alive.
The Swiss Nati began their own campaign dispatching Hungary 3-1. Goals from Kwadwo Duah, Michel Aebischer and the returning Breel Embolo gave Murat Yakin‘s side the perfect platform to progress from Group A, and the Red Crosses will be optimistic about extending their recent good form.
Switzerland have lost only once in their last 15 matches, and despite an underwhelming end to their qualifying campaign, the Swiss Nati have recorded three wins in their previous five matches.
Clarke will be without Ryan Porteous, who was sent off against Germany after a horrific challenge on İlkay Gündoğan. Grant Hanley, who came on at half-time in the defeat, and Scott McKenna will be in line to replace the Watford defender.
The Scotland manager may also restore Billy Gilmour and Lawrence Shankland to the starting eleven, as he looks for a much better Scotland performance.
Yakin has a selection dilemma up front after the returning Embolo scored on his return to the national side, and posed a consistent threat throughout his substitute performance.
The Swiss Nati should also be able to welcome back Embolo’s AS Monaco teammate Denis Zakaria. The midfielder made his return to training on Sunday, after missing the match versus Hungary due to injury. Yakin is still sweating on the fitness of Steven Zuber who also missed the opening game, and it may be too early for the midfielder to feature.
Scotland and Switzerland both utilised a 3-4-2-1 in their first fixture albeit within different tactical systems.
Clarke plays two narrow ’10s’ inverting onto their stronger foot and playing closely behind a target man in the middle. This allows the two 10s to pick up second balls and link up with the target man. They also become the outlet ball at times when Scotland win the ball and look to counter due to the central spaces they are able to occupy.
This leaves space out wide, and Clarke will ask his two wing-backs to push forward to create and hold width for his side. This is a role that helps to highlight Andy Robertson‘s strengths, with the Tartan Army captain being renowned for his energy and delivery into the box.
Robertson will also be supported by Kieran Tierney who is utilised at left-centre back. This does not stop the natural left-back from underlapping forward when there is space, and the Arsenal defender is also used during the build-up to play between the lines and provide another in-possession option to help create space.
Defensively, Clarke’s side can be quite aggressive at times but with usually solid foundations. When opposing teams attempt to play out, Scotland often deploy a high man-to-man press, however as soon as this is broken they drop into a 5-4-1 mid-block.
This does mean that they can be caught in transition once the initial press is broken and Germany utilised this well, playing directly in behind when the Scottish back line had pushed high to close the half-spaces for the Die Mannschaft attacking trio. Scotland will need to be wary of this given the pace Embolo and Duah possess.
Switzerland’s front three on the contrary have far more license to play three roles which allows them all to interchange. Duah or Embolo will play centrally and they will make a mixture of runs in behind to stretch out the defence and use their pace in behind, they are also both able to drop in deep and receive the ball on the half-turn before driving at the defence and playing the ball into exciting Bologna FC winger Dan Ndoye and FC Augsburg’s Ruben Vargas.
Whilst both widemen had the freedom to roam across the frontline, they generally held their width and the wing backs underlapped inside the pair.
In defence expect the Swiss Nati to defend in a 5-2-3 shape, operating a man-to-man press, and relying on the pace of Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi and Ricardo Rodriguez in the back three to cover any counter-attacks.
Scotland are without usual target man Lyndon Dykes, who was ruled out of the tournament due to sustaining an ankle injury in training. That has given an opportunity for others to enter the foray.
Che Adams was given the starting role versus Germany, unfortunately, he was very isolated and therefore was not able to give a reflective account of the player who has scored 17 goals in 46 matches for Southampton this season.
Shankland was a minor fitness concern for the German match, but will be hoping he can reclaim the starting berth for the vital tie against Switzerland. Physically he is more suited to the role, with Adams often used by Clarke as one of the two 10s, and the Hearts attacker comes into Euro 2024 off the back of a scintillating season, scoring 31 goals in 48 matches.
Switzerland have been able to welcome back Embolo, who spent the majority of the season out due to an ACL injury. He returned for the final five matches of the Ligue 1 season, scoring once for club side AS Monaco. The striker had not featured during the pre-tournament friendlies, but showcased his quality on his return, terrorising the Hungarian defence during his substitute cameo, and earning a goal for his troubles.
Duah was rather surprisingly given the starting role against Hungary, and the Ludogorets Razgrad attacker delivered on the faith, scoring his first international goal. Zeki Amdouni and Noah Okafaor are also promising forward options, both coming off promising seasons for their respective club sides.
Scotland will know they need a result if they are to keep their dreams of qualifying through the group stage of a European Championship for the first time alive. They will need to utilise their strength at set pieces to do so. Hungary created several chances against the Swiss Nati from crosses into the box, and Scotland will know they need to take advantage of that.
Clarke’s side will also need to ensure they remain aggressive. There will be risks in looking to take the game to Switzerland, especially when Switzerland are fantastic in transition and have incredible progressive passers such as Granit Xhaka, but at this stage the Tartan Army can’t be passive and let Switzerland dictate the game the way they let Germany.
Switzerland will look to control possession and use their free-flowing frontline to cause problems to Scotland, particularly in-behind or in the half spaces where Germany had great success.
The Swiss Nati are currently the favourites for the game, according to bookmakers, and on the basis of Euro 2024 so far it is no surprise, but whilst they will be confident of a result, it would be wise not to count out Clarke’s Tartan Army.