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Euro 2020: France versus Switzerland preview

By Ernesto Hernandez

France's forward Karim Benzema (R) and France's forward Kylian Mbappe (L) take part in their MD-1 training session at the National Arena in Bucharest on June 27, 2021, on the eve of their UEFA EURO 2020 round of 16 football match against Switzerland. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
France's forward Karim Benzema (R) and France's forward Kylian Mbappe (L) take part in their MD-1 training session at the National Arena in Bucharest on June 27, 2021, on the eve of their UEFA EURO 2020 round of 16 football match against Switzerland. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Switzerland’s midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates scoring his team’s third goal as Turkey’s defender Caglar Soyuncu (R) reacts during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group A football match between Switzerland and Turkey at the Olympic Stadium in Baku on June 20, 2021. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / POOL / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Switzerland’s midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates scoring his team’s third goal as Turkey’s defender Caglar Soyuncu (R) reacts during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group A football match between Switzerland and Turkey at the Olympic Stadium in Baku on June 20, 2021. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / POOL / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

France need to get past Switzerland to reach the Euro 2020 quarterfinals

France are heading to their round of 16 match against Switzerland a little banged up. Having already lost Ousmane Dembele in the 1-1 draw against Hungary, they were hit by the injury bug in their 2-2 draw with Portugal.

Both Lucas Hernandez and Lucas Digne were forced to come off due to injury which means France is without their two left-backs. As a result, manager Didier Deschamps may be forced to change formation.

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When Digne came off, Adrien Rabiot took over. However, he wasn’t out there enough time to see if he can be effective and play the same role against Switzerland.

The French team are one not only the favorites for this match but also one of the favorites to win the whole tournament. For context, they’re unbeaten in their last seven matches against the Swiss.

With all that being said, anything can happen in a knockout game and Deschamps has cautioned his team to not get over confident.

"“We mustn’t under-estimate them and it’s a knockout game so we’ll have to do everything we can to ensure we have smiles on our faces at the end of the match,” said Deschamps. “They’re a well-structured team and they have good attacking potential with Seferovic, Embolo and Shaqiri.”Source: BBC"

The Czech Republic have already pulled off a tournament upset by knocking out the Netherlands. France cannot underestimate Switzerland lest they suffer the same fate.

The Swiss do have players that can cause France damage so they will need to be ready defensively. They went down against Hungary and were only able to muster a draw.

It would be an opportune time for the front three of Antoine Griezmann, Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe to start gelling. Benzema did score two against Portugal but his return to the national team has not been as fruitful as once thought. Meanwhile, Mbappe has been relatively quiet all tournament.

His most notable contribution has been the controversial penalty call given to France against Portugal.

For Switzerland to have any chance, they will need to stifle the French midfield. The talents of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante are unquestionably but if they can be contained, it cuts off the service to the front three which puts France in trouble going forward.

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The winner of this game will progress to the quarterfinals and face the winner between Spain and Croatia.

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