UEFA EURO 2024 Group Stage
20 June, 2024 - Indian Date
Cologne Stadium
MATCH TIMES
India
12:30 AM
UAE
11:00 PM
Saudi Arabia
09:45 PM
MATCH LIVE INFO
Scotland possible starting lineup: Gunn; Hendry, Hanley, Tierney; Ralston, Gilmour, McTominay, Robertson; McGinn, Christie; Shankland
Switzerland possible starting lineup: Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Widmer, Xhaka, Freuler, Aebischer; Vargas, Ndoye; Duah
Match Preview
Scotland's form in the European Championship has been disappointing, especially after their recent heavy defeat to Germany. Their 5-1 loss in the opening match of Euro 2024 Group A against the tournament hosts was a historic low point, marking the heaviest opening defeat in the history of the men's European Championships. This performance highlighted significant defensive vulnerabilities and disciplinary issues, exemplified by Ryan Porteous's red card.
Scotland's previous European Championship campaigns have also been challenging. They have struggled to secure victories and progress beyond the group stages in recent tournaments. Their last victory in a Euros finals match was recorded over two decades ago, indicating a long-standing difficulty in performing at this level. The recent poor form, with just one win in their last 10 matches across all competitions, further exacerbates their predicament.
As they prepare to face Switzerland in Cologne, Scotland must drastically improve their performance to keep their hopes of advancing alive. A defeat would eliminate them from the top-two contention and almost certainly end their campaign, while a draw would leave their fate hanging by a thread. Even achieving third place and hoping for a best third-placed team spot seems challenging given their current form and the stiff competition in Group A.
In contrast, Switzerland enters the match with confidence, having defeated Hungary 3-1 in their opening game. With strong recent form, losing just one of their last 15 matches, and the return of key players like Breel Embolo, the Swiss are well-positioned to secure a top-two finish with a win against Scotland. This would allow them some breathing room before facing Germany in their final group fixture. For Scotland, the match against Switzerland represents a critical juncture to restore pride and potentially salvage their Euro 2024 campaign.