Currently ranked 13th in the world, this generation of Switzerland stars has largely underachieved at international tournaments. They’ve not been ranked outside the top 25 in the FIFA World Rankings since 2007, yet have failed to make it past the Last 16 of an international tournament since 1954.
The Swiss failed to qualify for Euro 2012, and exited at the first knockout round at the 2014 & 2018 World Cups and Euro 2016, before losing to two beatable sides in Poland and Sweden. They also reached the inaugural Nations League Finals ahead of many big teams.
Vladimir Petkovic, the coach, has mainly managed Swiss clubs in his career, but did enjoy a two-year stint at Lazio, winning the Coppa Italia in 2013. He took over the Switzerland national team in 2014. Petkovic has a 51% win rate both as Swiss manager and overall in his managerial career.
The Swiss topped its Euro 2020 qualifying group and won its first two qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup. Still, the Swiss face a tough task to advance from Group A. They have been drawn against Italy, Turkey and Wales. The group is very tricky, all teams have quality players, who on their day can be devastating. Considering their recent form, they are likely to progress to the knockout stages.
HISTORY
Only featured in four tournaments so far, Switzerland have not won the European Championships in their history. After failing to qualify for the Euros from 1964 to 1992, Switzerland’s first appearance came in 1996 where they didn’t make it out of the groups, following a draw and two defeats.
In Euro 2008, they managed to win their first-ever game in the Euros, beating Portugal 2-0, though they once again failed to advance from the group stages. Their most successful appearance in the tournament came in 2016, where they reached the Round of 16, losing on penalties to Poland after going unbeaten during the group stages.
KEY PLAYERS
Granit Xhaka – The Arsenal midfielder makes the Swiss team tick and is prized by national team coach Vladimir Petkovic. The captain on the side, Switzerland are dependent on Xhaka for ball retention and that solid partnership with Atlanta’s Freuler. There’s few like-for-like replacements in the squad for the Gunners man, meaning they would need to change their style if he were injured or suspended.
Breel Embolo – Currently playing for Borussia Monchengladbach, Embolo has plenty of experience and this season he featured in the Champions League knockout phase. Having just turned 24, he already has 42 international caps, along with 224 club appearances and 57 goals.
But their most famous player is another England-based star, Liverpool’s Xherdan Shaqiri, who can bamboozle any defence on his day. He did not have the best of seasons for Liverpool, but the pocket dynamo is one to watch out for.
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Currently ranked 13th in the world, this generation of Switzerland stars has largely underachieved at international tournaments. They’ve not been ranked outside the top 25 in the FIFA World Rankings since 2007, yet have failed to make it past the Last 16 of an international tournament since 1954.
The Swiss failed to qualify for Euro 2012, and exited at the first knockout round at the 2014 & 2018 World Cups and Euro 2016, before losing to two beatable sides in Poland and Sweden. They also reached the inaugural Nations League Finals ahead of many big teams.
Vladimir Petkovic, the coach, has mainly managed Swiss clubs in his career, but did enjoy a two-year stint at Lazio, winning the Coppa Italia in 2013. He took over the Switzerland national team in 2014. Petkovic has a 51% win rate both as Swiss manager and overall in his managerial career.
The Swiss topped its Euro 2020 qualifying group and won its first two qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup. Still, the Swiss face a tough task to advance from Group A. They have been drawn against Italy, Turkey and Wales. The group is very tricky, all teams have quality players, who on their day can be devastating. Considering their recent form, they are likely to progress to the knockout stages.
HISTORY
Only featured in four tournaments so far, Switzerland have not won the European Championships in their history. After failing to qualify for the Euros from 1964 to 1992, Switzerland’s first appearance came in 1996 where they didn’t make it out of the groups, following a draw and two defeats.
In Euro 2008, they managed to win their first-ever game in the Euros, beating Portugal 2-0, though they once again failed to advance from the group stages. Their most successful appearance in the tournament came in 2016, where they reached the Round of 16, losing on penalties to Poland after going unbeaten during the group stages.
KEY PLAYERS
Granit Xhaka – The Arsenal midfielder makes the Swiss team tick and is prized by national team coach Vladimir Petkovic. The captain on the side, Switzerland are dependent on Xhaka for ball retention and that solid partnership with Atlanta’s Freuler. There’s few like-for-like replacements in the squad for the Gunners man, meaning they would need to change their style if he were injured or suspended.
Breel Embolo – Currently playing for Borussia Monchengladbach, Embolo has plenty of experience and this season he featured in the Champions League knockout phase. Having just turned 24, he already has 42 international caps, along with 224 club appearances and 57 goals.
But their most famous player is another England-based star, Liverpool’s Xherdan Shaqiri, who can bamboozle any defence on his day. He did not have the best of seasons for Liverpool, but the pocket dynamo is one to watch out for.
