ENGLAND v SWITZERLAND FORM GUIDE: Which 7/10 star does Gareth Southgate need to start? Who has orchestrated the whole show for the Swiss? And who has been a DISASTER out of position for the Three Lions?
- England will have to improve when they face Switzerland in the quarter-finals
England are going through their final preparations before meeting Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-final on Saturday.
Gareth Southgate's side have struggled to convince with their performances in Germany, but have ground out results to reach the last eight.
Jude Bellingham's last gasp equaliser and an extra time Harry Kane header saw the Three Lions scrape past Slovakia, but England will have to improve against Switzerland if they are to reach the last four.
Switzerland impressively overcame defending champions Italy in the last-16, while Murat Yakin's side also came close to upsetting hosts Germany in the group phase.
Mail Sport's Craig Hope offers his England ratings for the tournament so far, while Matt Barlow assesses how Switzerland have performed to date in Germany.
England have failed to impress on the pitch but have ground their way to the quarter-finals
Gareth Southgate's side are going through their final preparations before facing Switzerland
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England player ratings
JORDAN PICKFORD 6.5
England’s shortcomings aren’t his fault and he has performed as well as would be expected. He was a little excitable at times versus Slovakia, but that was perhaps as much out of frustration with what was happening in front of him.
KYLE WALKER 5.5
His performances have got worse after a decent start versus Serbia. He looked all of his 34 years last time out and is not offering enough in attack, like we know he can. Also looked shaky in defence against Slovakia. A bit to prove.
EZRI KONSA 5.5
His only involvement was in extra-time versus Slovakia, when he helped see home the 2-1 advantage. But the Villa centre-back looks set to start here, in what will be the biggest game of his career so far.
Like Manchester City team-mate Walker, his performances have deteriorated over the four games. When the defence was suddenly tested by Slovakia, he was not the commanding presence England needed.
KIERAN TRIPPIER 6.5
He is being asked to do a job that reduces his skillset and, while the balance of the team is clearly impacted, the player cannot be blamed for that. In terms of his own performance, he has done OK, but a left-footer at left back would be preferable.
Kieran Trippier is clearly impacted by his role but has done okay as a right footed left back
Trent Alexander-Arnold was a disaster in the first two games due to being out of position
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD 4.5
A disaster in his two games in midfield - that is on Southgate more than the player - and he would be better served at right back. His creativity from that position would help with a team far too predictable in attack thus far.
LUKE SHAW N/A
He hasn’t featured but he is likely to get some minutes this weekend after building fitness following a hamstring layoff, and Southgate can only hope he hits the ground running.
DECLAN RICE 5.5
Some way below the level he consistently produces for Arsenal and his frustration has shown at times. He is too important not to play and is clearly giving his all every time, even if quality and influence has been lacking.
KOBBIE MAINOO 6.5
He showed more courage than his elders in trying to get on the ball and make things happen during his first start versus Slovakia. He had also impressed as a half-time introduction in previous game. He would appear to be the answer to the midfield issues, at least for now.
Young star Kobbie Mainoo appears to be the answer to England's midfield issues for now
CONOR GALLAGHER 5.5
It felt harsh when Southgate hooked him after 45 minutes of his only start, even if his performance was below par. But his worth as a substitute, adding energy and bite, is clear, and that is the role he will continue to play.
PHIL FODEN 5.5
One very good game versus Slovenia when he took it upon himself to abandon the left and impact by dribbling from deep. That apart, he has been poor, and he admits that. There is sympathy because he is out of position, but he should still be doing more.
JUDE BELLINGHAM 6
Four games bookended by two goals from his only efforts on target of the entire tournament, and in between he has not looked like the Real Madrid superstar. There are concerns over body language and, at times, petulance, but his ability to produce the biggest moments means he should always be on the pitch.
BUKAYO SAKA 5.5
He’s playing in moments, but those moments aren’t having the same impact as Bellingham. He does not look 100 per cent and the usual intensity of his play is missing. He’s done well to stay in the team.
HARRY KANE 5.5
He’s scored two important goals and should always play, but this version of Kane is below his best. He looks sluggish at times and is not bouncing off those around him. Maybe they are to blame as much as the skipper. He clearly benefited from having Toney next to him in the last game.
Jude Bellingham's ability to produce in the biggest moments means he must be on the pitch
Harry Kane, right, has been below his best but has scored twice and should always play
COLE PALMER 7
He’s got a higher average rating than all of his rivals in the attacking midfield positions, and this from two substitute appearances. He should be starting. When he comes on there is an immediate improvement and his guile, confidence and attacking intent is what the front unit badly needs.
JARROD BOWEN 6
Two appearances from the bench - one good, one not so good. But he certainly injects a livewire quality absent in some others and is a useful option for Southgate if chasing a game.
EBERECHI EZE 6
Like Bowen, a mixed bag from the bench so far, but offers something different to the others.
OLLIE WATKINS 6
His introduction versus Denmark gave England a pacey outlet in attack and straight away he found himself in the clear. The concern is that the finish was missing, and you often only get one chance in this arena.
Cole Palmer has impressed as a substitute for the Three Lions and should in the starting eleven
Ivan Toney made a crucial impact against Slovakia off the bench and should be used earlier
IVAN TONEY 7.5
The highest score based on one minute at the end of normal time plus extra-time versus Slovakia. His presence was part of the reason Bellingham had space to score his wonder goal and he then laid on the winner for Kane. If needed, he needs to be brought on far sooner than the 95th minute.
ANTHONY GORDON N/A
He’s only played three minutes plus stoppage time in the third game, but he did enough then to suggest he is worth far more involvement. It’s baffling why Southgate has not used him more.
Probable XI (3-4-2-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Konsa; Alexander-Arnold, Rice, Mainoo, Saka; Bellingham, Foden; Kane
Euros Form:
England have not played well. Their best half of the tournament was the first 45 minutes in the opening match against Serbia. Since then, it has been slow, sloppy and predictable. Even the players have hinted at as much and captain Harry Kane said at one stage they did not know what they were doing.
Every game is heralded as the turning point, yet they simply turn down another blind alley. The last outing versus Slovakia was their worst yet, save for the heroic intervention of Jude Bellingham.
But that is why there is still hope. If the best players, ultimately, produce the best moments, then England have more of those than most. They could yet get by on such acts of genius.
There is also a belated change of system ready to be rolled out this weekend, and that will give the players something different to think about. They have looked bored and uninspired in the first four games.
England can win this tournament, of that I am sure, but they will need to be so much better against Switzerland, the best team they have faced so far.
Gareth Southgate is expected to belated change England's system against Switzerland
Switzerland player ratings
YANN SOMMER 7.5
Experienced goalkeeper fresh from winning Serie A with Inter Milan. Will win his 94th cap against England. Commanding, good shot stopper with decent record in penalty shootouts. His save from Kylian Mbappe’s spot kick knocked France out of Euro 2020.
FABIAN SCHAR 7
Newcastle centre half can be prone to an unforced error but swift, strong, comfortable in this Swiss system and can be a threat from set-pieces.
MANUEL AKANJI 8.5
Composed and reassuring for Switzerland as he is for Manchester City. Plays in the centre of the back three, reads the game, quick to cover and able to step out with the ball.
Manuel Akanji has been a composed and reassuring presence in the Switzerland defence
RICARDO RODRIGUEZ 6.5
Converted from an attacking full back to play left side of the back three in his later years. Now 31, will win his 120th cap against England. Still likes to break from the back line and overlap on the left. Germany tried to target him in the air with Niclas Fullkrug.
SILVAN WIDMER 7
Right wing back missed the win against Italy through suspension. One of the big decisions for Murat Yakin is whether to bring back his energy and intensity or stick with Dan Ndoye who is a more attacking option but stepped into the role quite expertly.
REMO FREULER 7
Failed to make much of an impression at Nottingham Forest but he is vital for covering the ground in midfield, winning the ball, linking play and bursting forward. Off the back of a successful season on loan at Bologna. Scored the first against Germany.
GRANIT XHAKA 9
Orchestrates the whole show. Xhaka’s game has been refined under Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen. Captain, heartbeat and midfield strategist. Playing despite a nagging stomach muscle problem and expected to win his 130th cap against England.
Granit Xhaka is playing through an injury but the captain is orchestrating the whole show
MICHEL AEBISCHER 7.5
Bologna midfielder is not the archetypal wing-back. He’s a passer more than a runner and right-footed despite playing on the left. Likes to drift inside and pick passes. Rodriguez might drive past him on the outside. Scored against Hungary.
FABIAN RIEDER 6.5
High energy and intensity. Works hard on the press to win the ball high up the pitch. Successfully disrupted Italy’s deep playmaker Nicolo Fagioli in the last 16. Will play on loan at Stuttgart from Rennes next season.
DAN NDOYE 8
Exciting young Bologna forward who scored against Germany and gave the hosts all sorts of problems on the break, then gave Italy a hard time while filling in at wing-back. Electric pace off the mark, carries the ball and threatens the goal.
RUBEN VARGAS 6.5
Versatile forward who made the first for Freuler against Italy and scored the second jinking inside from the left and curling it in with his right foot. Quick and trick. Can go past a defender on either side.
Young forward Dan Ndoye scored against Germany and gave Italy a hard time as a wing back
Ruben Vargas made the first and scored a superb second for Switzerland against Italy
BREEL EMBOLO 6.5
Never quite fulfilled his teenage promise but an athletic centre forward who works hard, hustles centre halves and is willing to run in behind. Finishing not always crisp and clinical. His goal against Hungary in the group stage was his 14th for his country.
KWADWO DUAH 6
London-born forward who plays in Bulgaria. Scored his first goal for Switzerland in opener against Hungary but not started since. Most likely to come on when Embolo has run himself into the ground.
XHERDAN SHAQIRI 6
Now 32 and playing MLS but still an important member of the squad. Has 127 caps and a wealth of experience. Started, scored and played an hour against Scotland but restricted mostly nowadays to cameos from the bench.
Probable XI (3-4-2-1): Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Widmer, Freuler, Xhaka, Aebischer; Rieder, Ndoye; Embolo.
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Euros Form:
Switzerland spluttered through qualification with Murat Yakin surviving calls for him to go in the autumn, after disappointing draws against Israel, Belarus and Kosovo twice, and a defeat against Romania. There were delegations of senior players led by captain Granit Xhaka and concessions made by Yakin to the way they played. Since they arrived in Germany, they have had the look a of beautifully balanced team who know exactly what they are trying to do.
Sommer in goal is a soothing presence and the back three are hugely experienced and stress tested after years of big games. Xhaka has matured into an intelligent leader with a tactical mind and ahead of him is a whirl of movement.
Aebischer likes to drift in from the left and Rodriguez likes to go past him on the outside and links up with the wide attacker, who might be Vargas or Ndoye. On the other side, Rieder is set more centrally and the right wing-back Widmer or Ndoye will tear up and down the flank while Embolo threatens the back of the opposition’s defensive line.
Switzerland manager Murat Yakin has proved to be flexible with his tactics during Euro 2024
These rotations create space and Xhaka and Aebischer have the passing range to capitalise. Seven goals have come from seven different players masking the most obvious weakness is in front of goal. If there is another flaw, it is depth of cover. Lose one of the keys to the system, such as Akanji or Xhaka and they are difficult to replace.
Yakin has, however, proved to be flexible. He surprised Hungary with a back-four, played deep and almost entirely on the counter with a back-three against Germany and then used the same system but dominated for the first hour against Italy.
They are smart and dangerous thriving on teams who are expected to beat them and throw players forward as England are likely to do. The Swiss were much less fluent when expected to play with more adventure against Scotland.
