Dan Ndoye’s clinical first-time shot gave Switzerland an unexpected advantage against Germany, though their unsettling display nearly put it beyond reach – until Niclas Fullkrug scored in stoppage-time to preserve their lives.
Julian Nagelsmann has made it clear he won’t make too many changes to keep the rhythm of his players intact, which means Antonio Rudiger and Jonathan Tah are likely to remain starters. The Switzerland national football team vs Germany national football team standings will also be an important factor to watch as both teams aim to improve their positions.
Switzerland
Switzerland’s national football team, popularly dubbed ‘Nati’, boasts an illustrious legacy in world football. Switzerland has created its own path through club success across Europe; and, more recently, this success has earned Switzerland top-tier results on an international stage.
Early in the twentieth century, Switzerland struggled to establish itself as a dominant force in sports. After World War II however, their fortunes began to change rapidly. They quickly established themselves in international competitions such as 1954’s FIFA World Cup where they made it all the way to quarter finals – still an incredible achievement by any Swiss team!
Nati have an impressive record at the UEFA European Championships, reaching the quarter-finals in 2020 – an improvement on their previous best performance of 2016 when they reached only semi-finals. As a result, they currently rank sixth on the UEFA Nations League table.
At the 2014 World Cup, Nati put in an outstanding performance to finish third in their group. They drew two games and won one, including an impressive penalty shootout victory against Argentina. Furthermore, Switzerland did not allow any goals until their last match against Chile – an outstanding accomplishment indeed!
At UEFA Euro 2016, the Nati qualified with ease, winning all their qualifying matches without dropping a game – becoming the only team not to experience defeat during qualifying. At the tournament itself, they were placed into an extremely tough group alongside hosts England, Portugal and Scotland, holding France to a scoreless draw before later beating Togo 2-0.
Nati made headlines around the globe when they won their final group match against Serbia by scoring late through Xherdan Shaqiri to top their group and knock out Serbia. However, this win caused considerable debate as two goalscorers who are ethnic Albanians crossed their hands to form an image reminiscent of an Albanian double-headed eagle symbolizing nationalism by some observers – yet were not banned from FIFA due to this gesture.
Germany
After World War II, Switzerland began to emerge as an influential force on the football pitch, qualifying for several major tournaments – such as qualifying for the finals of both the World Cup and European Championship. But it wasn’t until the 1990s that they truly made themselves known; culminating with their third-place finish at 1954 World Cup being their finest achievement to date.
Although they fell just short in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup via play-offs, Switzerland did an exceptional job qualifying for 2020. They won four of six matches – four wins and two draws – against eventual champion France and beat Italy who came second. Subsequently they defeated South Korea and Poland on penalties to reach quarter-finals of tournament.
Switzerland faced France in the round of sixteen and made an amazing comeback to win it 3-2 – their first knockout game win over them at any major tournament and they advanced as one of two third-placed teams.
Germany ultimately defeated Switzerland in the semi-finals after an intensely competitive game that featured Xherdan Shaqiri scoring a bicycle kick against them and sparking controversy as both Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka, both ethnic Albanians, celebrated by crossing their hands to represent a double-headed eagle of Albania; some consider this symbol nationalist emblems – an act that marked only time that their team ever celebrated such a goal!
Head-to-Head Record
Head-to-Head analysis in football involves looking back over past matches between two teams and analyzing their results, in order to gain a comprehensive view of tactical nuances and possible outcomes for future matchups. Furthermore, it’s also essential to take into account any psychological influences which might impede or improve either team’s performance.
Outside of looking at past head-to-head records, it is also crucial to review both teams’ current forms. This will allow us to detect any patterns or trends which might indicate which team may emerge victorious in a matchup. Furthermore, home and away matches should be distinguished to highlight any possible advantages or disadvantages between them both.
Switzerland and Germany have an outstanding rivalry history. Over 32 encounters, Switzerland has won 19 matches while Germany won 12 and drew 1.
Switzerland recently won their last meeting against Germany 1-0 at home, in a closely-contested match where both sides had ample opportunities to score goals. Switzerland was especially impressive defensively while Germans failed to capitalise on their superior possession and their superiority of talent.
Switzerland put on an outstanding performance during their previous match and are looking to replicate that success again in this match. Switzerland will strive to maintain defensive stability while capitalizing on quick transition opportunities; set-piece situations will likely also play a factor.
Germany will find their match against Switzerland to be challenging, with their defense being put through its paces by an extremely disciplined Swiss side. They must find ways to break down defensive systems and keep up with the pace of play as Switzerland keeps up the intensity.
The outcome will depend on which team can create more scoring opportunities and convert them to goals more successfully. Both teams possess great attacking players who must work together effectively to generate goal-scoring chances.
Predictions
As with the previous two matches, much is at stake for both teams in this matchup. Germany stands to gain by winning easily; taking first place would pave their path directly into the knockout round; failing would require them to hope Scotland or Hungary lose and needing them as the second-place team to qualify. Switzerland could easily qualify with a victory; they currently occupy second spot with four points so a draw or victory would see them advance directly to round two of qualification.
Though victory is likely, this will likely be a close and tense game that neither team wants to overcommit in. No one wants to rush ahead too soon or risk anything important being at stake here.
Both teams possess key players that could alter the course of the match and there will likely be changes to both starting lineups. Switzerland could maintain a similar starting eleven from when they held Scotland to a 1-1 draw; Breel Embolo may return closer to full fitness and could start. Xherdan Shaqir scored his first major final goal and may hope to keep his starting place.
Germany will attempt to maintain their dominant performance in possession and scoring chances and is expected to select the same starting eleven. Julian Nagelsmann’s side dominated both of their opening group-stage matches by holding over 70-73% possession and outscoring opponents by seven goals to one.
German squad depth allows them to remain flexible in case of injury or rotation needs. Kai Havertz has been an energetic presence on offense, breaking down defenders to create chances. Ilkay Gundogan and Granit Xhaka have proven to be excellent midfielders while Mario Gotze and Timo Werner serve as potency finishers up front.
Expect many corners in this game as both teams like to attack from wide areas. It would be wise to take up the odds of +110 for over 5.5 corner kicks here.
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