At 3:00 AM on June 20th, the second round of Group A of the 2024 German European Championship will see Scotland clash with Switzerland at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne. In the latest FIFA rankings, Scotland sits 39th in the world and 21st in Europe, with a total team value exceeding €200 million. Their opponent, Switzerland, ranks 19th in the world and 10th in Europe, with a total team value close to €300 million.
In the first round, Scotland suffered a humiliating 1-5 defeat at the hands of the host nation Germany. The despair on the scoreboard was eclipsed by the nightmarish performance of the Scottish players. They failed to score a single goal throughout the game, managing only one shot on target. In the other Group A match, Hungary, initially tipped as a potential “dark horse” for this European Championship, fell to Switzerland 1-3. The Swiss players, like the timepieces they’re known for, meticulously advanced from defense to attack, then organized their offense with composure and order. After the first round, Germany currently leads Group A due to goal difference, followed by Switzerland. Hungary and Scotland sit third and fourth, respectively. If Switzerland wins this match, their chances of qualifying will become significantly clearer. However, Scotland needs at least one point from the Swiss to keep their hopes alive.
The first match’s heavy loss to Germany poured cold water on Scotland’s entire squad. Before the game, Scottish media, players, and the coach all expressed that Scotland was far from a pushover and would cause Germany trouble. However, the reality was starkly different, with the Scottish players completely pinned down in their own half by the Germans. Had it not been for Rudiger’s own goal, Scotland could have suffered the biggest defeat of the tournament. In their next game against Switzerland, the strength gap between the two sides is not as significant. Mc Ginn stated that Scotland has the ability to achieve more in this game compared to the first. Coach Clarke also expressed that Scotland’s European Championship truly begins now.
Switzerland’s easy victory over Hungary came as a surprise to many fans. Hungary qualified for the finals as group winners in the European Championship qualifiers. However, by halftime, Switzerland had already established a 2-0 lead over Hungary. Entering the second half, Hungary seemed to wake up, intensifying their attack and gradually gaining control of the match. After the 60th minute, Switzerland seemed to be losing steam, and their defense was under pressure. Thankfully, Inter Milan goalkeeper Sommer maintained his composure and prevented Hungary from breaching the goal too early. Ultimately, they secured a victorious start. Switzerland was like two different teams in the first and second halves, which might present an opportunity for Scotland in their next match.
The two teams have met 16 times in various competitions, with Scotland having a slight advantage, winning eight, drawing three, and losing five. However, in their last five meetings, Scotland has won once, drawn twice, and lost twice, giving Switzerland a slight edge. Their most recent encounter was in a friendly match in 2006, where Scotland lost 1-3 to Switzerland. But looking at the performance trends of both teams over the past five years, Switzerland has been gradually declining, while Scotland has been steadily climbing. On paper, the two teams appear to be fairly evenly matched. However, based on the results and performances of the first round, the actual gap between them seems larger than anticipated.
UEFA has announced that Scotland player Porteous, who received a red card for a reckless tackle in the first round, will be banned for two matches. This means that if Scotland fails to advance to the knockout stage, his European Championship journey will end prematurely. Players like McTominay and McGinn, who were held in high regard, also lost their way in the opening match, either getting bogged down in defensive duties or powerless to stop the Germans’ relentless onslaught.
The three players who scored for Switzerland in the first match, Douah, Ebischer, and Embolo, are likely to feature in this game. In the game against Hungary, Xhaka, who was named Man of the Match, showcased his versatility, participating in both attack and defense. He delivered threatening passes in attack and proved his defensive prowess, excelling in 1-on-1 situations, as well as in joint defense, covering positions, intercepting, and almost being flawless.
Before the game, Scotland coach Clarke acknowledged that Switzerland is a team that excels in the second half of matches, which he believes is an opportunity for Scotland. Ebischer, who provided one goal and one assist for Switzerland in the first match, expressed that the team has refocused its attention on the match against Scotland and that they won’t rush into anything, taking a step-by-step approach.
A loss will likely lead to elimination, while at least one point offers hope for continued aspirations. Scotland coach Clarke hopes his team will get at least four points in the group stage. Will they have another chance to achieve this objective after this match? Switzerland is preparing for this game with ease, and a victory here will pave a smooth path to qualifying for the knockout stage. Will they be able to inflict further pain on Scotland’s wounds?
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