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Euro 2020 Preview: Switzerland vs Spain

By Ernesto Hernandez

Spain's coach Luis Enrique oversees a training session in Saint Petersburg on June 30, 2021, during the UEFA EURO 2020 European Football Championship. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
Spain's coach Luis Enrique oversees a training session in Saint Petersburg on June 30, 2021, during the UEFA EURO 2020 European Football Championship. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Granit Xhaka of Switzerland gestures during his team’s UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match against France at Bucharest’s National Arena. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Getty Images)
Granit Xhaka of Switzerland gestures during his team’s UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match against France at Bucharest’s National Arena. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Getty Images) /

Switzerland and Spain looking for a spot in the semifinals of Euro 2020

The quarterfinals of Euro 2020 are set to kick off with the match pitting Switzerland against Spain with a spot in the semifinals on the line.

Both teams come into the match after being participants in what is being considered the two best matches of the tournament so far.

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Spain blew a 3-1 lead against Croatia but goals by Álvaro Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal in extra time sealed the win for Luis Enrique’s side.

In contrast, Switzerland were the ones down 3-1 against France before they equalized late and sent the game to extra time. They went all the way to penalties where a Kylian Mbappé miss sent the Swiss through.

Similar to the lead-up against France, on paper, Switzerland go in the Spain game as underdogs.

It is a role they don’t mind having and one they can use to their advantage. After knocking out France, they are not afraid of any team and will go into the quarterfinal against Spain with a belief they can win.

"“We need to be hungry to make it to the next round,” said Switzerland manager Vladimir Petkovic. “From this point on I can’t say that I’m satisfied — because, for me, the next step is always the most important.“We want to make it to the next round, even if we’re facing one of the favorites in Spain.”Source: Yahoo Sports"

A belief that is not so farfetched given Spains defensive weaknesses. A weakness that was on display against Croatia. Despite Aymeric Laporte option to play for Spain, neither he nor his defensive partners —Eric García or Pau Torres — have looked solid in their games.

Switzerland do have the forwards and a midfielder who showed he can be a playmaker in Granit Xhaka, who could cause them damage.

"“It’s going to be a very complicated match,” said Spain manager Luis Enrique. “As a group, for how they attack and defend, they are a very good team and I predict a very difficult game for us … I expect very similar tactics from what Mr. Petković used against us in the Nations League.”Source: UEFA"

The last time these two teams met in a major tournament was in the group stage of the 2010 World Cup in which Switzerland won. Spain, however, did go on to win the World Cup.

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It’s going to be a tough test for the Spanish as they will face a Swiss side who have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

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