England are 7/2 favourites for Euro 2024 glory but unless Gareth Southgate’s men improve rapidly football won’t be coming home and they face a massive test against Switzerland in their quarter-final clash, writes WILLIAM KEDJANYI.
With a rich amount of attacking options, plenty of tournament experience, a solid record (runners-up in last Euros, knocked out by runners-up France in last World Cup), and plenty of in-form players pushing for inclusion into the squad, hopes were high at the beginning of the tournament but their performances have been anything but those of winners.
They started well against Serbia and Denmark – scoring the opener both times – but fell off badly against the Serbs, were dire for large parts of the game against Denmark, even worse against Slovenia and then on the brink of heading out against Slovakia when an overhead kick from Jude Bellingham and a Harry Kane winner saved their tournament.
England have largely defended well, but going forward they’ve offered precious little. Phil Foden has not worked on the left wing, not helped by the lack of connection with Kieran Tripper, who is not naturally left footed. The decision to take Luke Shaw – clearly not fit – and then to refuse to play the extremely capable Joe Gomez, has backfired massively with some suggesting that Bukayo Saka may be an option as a left-wing back.
Saka played that role after Tripper went off against Slovakia but England were chasing the game and the fact such conversations are being had is an admission of failure on the left side.
In midfield England have been congested, with Foden and Bellingham often occupying the same spaces, whilst Harry Kane has simply not been involved enough – he’s made the fewest touches per 90 minutes at Euro 2024 among the quarter-finalists – factoring in players that have registered 90 minutes or more of action.
It has been widely briefed that Man City duo Kyle Walker and John Stones will be joined by Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa in a three-man central defence (Konsa comes in for the suspended Marc Guehi), whilst Jude Bellingham and Bellingham and Phil Foden could operate as joint No.10s behind Harry Kane.
Such plans could backfire given that Bellingham and Foden have crowded each-other out so on many occasions so far whilst Kane has struggled to reach his best, and England have it all to prove on Saturday.
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🔢 EURO 2024 GUIDE – GROUPS, SCHEDULE, VENUES
England v Switzerland
UEFA EURO 2024 Quarter-Final
20:00 BBC 1 HD / BBC iPlayer / BBC 5 Live
HEAD-TO-HEAD
MAR 2022 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY England 2 – 1 Switzerland
JUN 2019 NATIONS LEAGUE N Switzerland 0 – 0 England
SEP 2018 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY England 1 – 0 Switzerland
SEP 2015 EURO CHAMPIONSHIPS England 2 – 0 Switzerland
SEP 2014 EURO CHAMPIONSHIPS Switzerland 0 – 2 England
ENGLAND
JUN 2024 EURO 2024 England 0-0 Slovakia
JUN 2024 EURO 2024 England 0-0 Slovenia
JUN 2024 EURO 2024 Denmark 1-1 England
JUN 2024 EURO 2024 Serbia 0-1 England
JUN 2024 FRIENDLY England 0-1 Iceland
SWITZERLAND
JUN 2024 EURO 2024 Switzerland 2-0 Italy
JUN 2024 EURO 2024 Switzerland 1-1 Germany
JUN 2024 EURO 2024 Scotland 1-1 Switzerland
JUN 2024 EURO 2024 Hungary 1-3 Switzerland
JUN 2024 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY Switzerland 1-1 Austria
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Switzerland made an opening statement when they dispatched the well fancied Hungary, dominating in the first half and then holding firm when their rivals eventually got into the game, and whilst they may not have quite matched that performance against Scotland in game 2, they pushed hosts Germany to the limit with a resolute performance in Frankfurt, with a late Niclas Fullkrug goal denying them an upset win.
Murat Yakin’s side have impressed through much of the group stage, performing better than England on every single occasion – and they impressed many onlookers in their 2-0 win against defending champions Italy in the last 16.
It should be said that Italy were dreadful in their defence of the title, but England have been little better (especially during the group stages) and the Swiss impressed with their cohesion, managing to overload the Italian box and press them extremely effectively.
Ricardo Rodriguez, Michel Aebischer, and Dan Ndoye, and Reuben Varga have all impressed hugely down the left hand side – something which should cause England plenty of issues. The Swiss also have quality to offer in Granit Xhaka, Remo Freuler, Manuel Akanji and Fabian Schar, all of whom have made their mark on the Swiss campaign so far.
A switch to three at the back for England could free up their midfield but regardless of what tactics they employ, Gareth Southgate’s side must up their game if they’re to stay in the tournament. It remains to be seen if they can, and at the prices the Swiss have to be supported. 11/8 on them qualifying is too big and so is 4/6 on them avoiding defeat in 90 minutes.
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